Poland to acquire world’s first 5th-gen submarines from Sweden’s Saab

Poland has chosen Sweden’s Saab A26 submarines, described as the world’s first fifth-generation submarines, to replace its aging Soviet-era Kilo-class vessel. The decision, announced by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz under the Orka program, involves acquiring three advanced A26 submarines. This selection follows a competitive process where Sweden outpaced South Korea, despite Korea’s offer to transfer an active-duty submarine for free. The contract, expected to be signed by mid-2026, is valued around 10 billion zlotys ($2.74 billion) but could rise to nearly 36 billion zlotys ($9.8 billion), with the first submarine delivery planned for 2030. The Saab A26 Blekinge-class submarine is designed to meet NATO’s evolving multi-domain operational needs, featuring stealth capabilities, advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) functions, and long-range precision strike abilities.