Poland has ordered three Saab A26-type submarines in a SEK 47 billion deal that will rebuild its undersea warfare capability for the Baltic Sea, according to announcements by Saab and the Swedish government on 29 June 2026. The package gives the Polish Navy a new diesel-electric submarine force while preserving the skills needed to operate covertly in shallow, contested waters. The contract includes weapons, training, support, and the lease of HMS Södermanland until 2032, giving Polish crews a live platform before the first A26 deliveries by 2038. This bridge matters because submarine effectiveness depends on experience as much as hardware, from acoustic discipline and submerged endurance to coordination with surface and air forces. Read more...
