Poland has chosen Saab’s A26 as the successor to its aging Kilo-class submarine fleet, narrowing the field from six international bidders. While an official contract has yet to be signed, Poland intends to buy three A26 units under the Orca initiative, worth an estimated $2.52 billion. The 65-meter diesel-electric stealth submarine displaces around 2,000 tons and accommodates 26 crew plus nine additional personnel. Its Stirling air-independent propulsion provides 18+ days of submerged operation, making it ideal for the shallow, sonar-dense Baltic Sea. The A26 supports UUV deployment, special forces missions, and multi-domain strike capability through advanced torpedoes and missile systems. Electronic warfare features allow underwater information operations and sensor disruption.
