The Polish Minister of Defense, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated that Poland will purchase three A26 Blekinge submarines from Sweden, as part of the Orka program, which aims to modernize the Polish naval fleet.

This decision is considered historic for the Swedish-Polish partnership and for security in the Baltic Sea. Poland, which currently has only one aging submarine, is proposing to strengthen its defense in the context of Russian threats. The A26 submarines are adapted for the Baltic Sea and will enhance the operational capacity of the Polish navy. Training for Polish sailors will begin in 2026, and the delivery of the first submarine is expected in 2030. Sweden has faced delays and increased costs in its own submarine acquisition program, but the Saab group, which produces the A26, has expressed optimism regarding negotiations with Poland. The A26 submarines are conventional, quiet, and equipped for various missions, including underwater warfare.