As previously announced, on 17 December in Warsaw the Minister of National Defence and Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and his Swedish counterpart, Pål Jonson, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting out the main objectives of strategic cooperation based on the “Orka” submarine acquisition program. The agreement is also intended to serve as a roadmap for both governments, outlining the further course of this undertaking, which is crucial for the Polish Navy.

The document signed by the defence ministers of Poland and Sweden sets out the main strategic goals of cooperation based on the submarine acquisition program. It also confirms the relationship between the two countries that has been developing for years. As examples, the ministry cites orders for Carl Gustaf M4 recoilless guns (grenade launchers), Saab 340 AEW early warning aircraft, and signals intelligence vessels under the “Delfin” program.

The memorandum specifies, among other things, the number of submarines, delivery dates, and the framework of the future contract. According to the memorandum, the acquisition will be based on a comprehensive purchase of weapon systems dedicated to the A26-class submarines, as well as logistics. As a result, through technology transfer the Polish defence industry will gain capabilities for servicing, repair, and overhaul of submarines and dedicated weapon systems throughout their entire life cycle. At the same time, the Swedish side commits to involving Polish defence companies in the production of armaments for the Swedish armed forces, thereby increasing their attractiveness and competitiveness. This includes, among other things, the use of Polish subassemblies and components in Swedish weapons platforms.

“The Government of Sweden, with the participation of the Polish defence industry, foresees investments in Polish industry, in Polish shipyards, as well as the search for and use of Polish equipment solutions for the Swedish Armed Forces. This is a great honor. It is also a matter of exceptional importance for me personally to be a signatory to this agreement on behalf of the Polish state. I am very pleased that today, following the decision taken by the Council of Ministers in the final days of November, and after several days of intensive talks between the government of the Republic of Poland and the government of the Kingdom of Sweden, we are signing an agreement on acquiring the capability to operate underwater,” said Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

“We believe that this Cooperation Agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) is a clear success for the defence of the Baltic Sea and for relations between Sweden and Poland. After the contract is signed, both countries will gain access to some of the most modern submarines in the world. This is also proof of the strength of the Swedish defence industry. If the contract is signed, it will be one of the largest export agreements in the history of Sweden’s maritime sector. We look forward to further developing cooperation with Poland in the coming years,” emphasized Pål Jonson.

It should be recalled that the announcement of the decision on the selection of a partner country in the “Orka” program had already been made in November last year. At that time, the head of the Ministry of Defence stated that the selection and the contract would be concluded by the end of 2025. The choice was announced on 26 November this year, with Sweden selected as the preferred partner. The agreement is to take the form of an intergovernmental (G2G) arrangement, with the Swedish company Saab as the bidder, offering A26-class submarines (Blekinge type). The first of the three units is to be delivered to Poland by the end of 2030. In addition, the offer includes the provision of an interim (gap-filler) solution in the form of leasing an A17-class submarine. Training of sailors, both for the interim unit and the new submarines, will begin next year. The handover of the “gap-filler” vessel is to take place by the end of 2027.