Poland has selected Sweden’s A26 design as its preferred option to replace its ageing Kilo-class submarine, choosing Saab and the Swedish state offer as the basis for negotiations, according to an announcement from Stockholm.
No contract has yet been signed and Saab has not received an order, but the decision marks a major step toward a Swedish-Polish submarine partnership.
Saab’s president and chief executive Micael Johansson said the company was “honoured to have been selected” and argued that the A26, purpose-built for Baltic Sea conditions, represents “the right choice for the Polish people”. He said the selection would strengthen the Polish Navy and support the national economy through planned industrial cooperation and technology transfer.
The Swedish government’s proposal centres on advanced variants of the A26 Blekinge class, equipped with modern sensors, long-duration air-independent propulsion and a multi-mission portal for special operations and uncrewed underwater vehicles. The platform carries heavyweight and lightweight torpedoes, mine-navigation sonars, Atlas Elektronik flank arrays and Safran Series 30 optronics. It can operate for up to 45 days, including extended submerged endurance using its Stirling-engine AIP system, and typically carries a crew of 17 to 26.
Sweden’s defence materiel agency (FMV) will now enter formal procurement discussions with its Polish counterpart. Negotiations will determine configuration, industrial work-share and timelines for the new boats, which are intended to restore and expand Poland’s submarine capability after years of decline in the fleet.
Thats got to be the weirdest looking conning tower I’ve ever seen on a sub.
Designed to defeat active sonar pulses.
I’m sure there will be many calls for us to jump on this program but it’s worth pointing out European NATO has nearly 70 of the worlds very best SSK’s and just 13 SSN’s (delivered or under construction)
SSK’s are great for the Baltic and Mediterranean but little use for us.
Disagree – 6 subs would be beneficial to the RN. We could use them in the North Sea / close in coastal work. Nukes boats aren’t good for every patrol