The three submarines are expected to strengthen NATO’s position in the Baltic, which has grown increasingly tense since 2022—particularly around the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

Poland has signed a $4.8 billion agreement with Sweden’s Saab to acquire three A26 Blekinge-class submarines, the largest naval procurement in modern Polish history. The purchase amounts to more than the replacement of aging submarines, however—it represents a broader effort to modernize Poland’s navy with platforms optimized for stealth, autonomous systems, and operations in the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea. The deal also reflects NATO’s growing emphasis on undersea surveillance, critical infrastructure protection, and distributed maritime operations.

The A26 Submarine’s Specifications

• Year Introduced: 2024 (lead ship under construction; Polish variant ordered 2026)
• Number Built: 0 operational (3 for Sweden under construction; 3 ordered by Poland)
• Length: 66 m (217 ft)
• Beam (Width): 6.75 m (22.1 ft)
• Displacement: ~2,000 tons (submerged)
• Propulsion: Diesel-electric with Stirling Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP)
• Top Speed: 20+ knots submerged (37+ km/h; 23+ mph)
• Range: Virtually unlimited while snorkeling; up to ~18 days submerged on AIP at low speed
• Armaments: 533 mm torpedo tubes, 400 mm torpedo tubes, naval mines, Multi-Mission Portal for UUVs/AUVs & special forces (missile integration possible depending on customer)
• Crew: 26 (plus special forces personnel when embarked)

Why Does Poland Want the A26 Submarines?

Poland will acquire three A26 submarines. The contract, with a value of approximately $4.8 billion, was signed on June 29 in Gdynia. Deliveries are expected through 2038. To support the fleet, Saab will establish domestic Polish maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capability. And because deliveries will take years, Poland will also acquire the Swedish submarine HMS Sodermanland for the purpose of training Polish crews, familiarizing sailors with Swedish submarine systems, and maintaining operational capabilities until the A26 fleet enters service. 

When the A26 does arrive, its defining feature, arguably, is its 1.5-meter “multi-mission portal” (MMP) in the bow. Unlike conventional torpedo tubes, this large opening is designed to launch and recover autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and even special operations divers. This significantly expands the submarines’ mission set beyond traditional torpedo attacks. 

The A26 uses Stirling air-independent propulsion (AIP), allowing it to travel underwater for long periods without the need to resurface for air—a hallmark of submarine activity in previous decades. Advantages here include extended submerged endurance, quieter operation than conventional diesel-electric submarines, a reduced need to snorkel, and lower probability of detection. The system allows the submarine to remain submerged for extended periods while minimizing acoustic and infrared signatures. Saab incorporated its GHOST (Genuine Holistic Stealth Technology) philosophy throughout the design. Features of GHOST include vibration-isolated machinery, acoustic damping, low-noise propulsion, and hull shaping intended to reduce sonar detection. Basically, the sub is optimized for operating quietly in heavily monitored waters—like the Baltic Sea, one of the most militarized naval environments on Earth.

Unlike large blue-water subs, the A26 is specifically designed for shallow littoral environments. Accordingly, the A26 includes an X-rudder configuration for precise maneuvering. The A26 is intended to perform multiple missions in these littoral environments, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence gathering, special operations support, underwater surveillance, protection of subsea infrastructure, and the deployment of AUVs. Rather than serving solely as a torpedo platform, the A26 functions as a multi-mission undersea command node. 

Poland Is Quietly Becoming a Baltic Sea Power

Strategically, the A26 serves to strengthen NATO’s Baltic posture. Tensions in the region have reached an all-time high since 2022—particularly around Kaliningrad, Russia’s coastal exclave, bordered by Poland and Lithuania. Kaliningrad serves as the home base for the Russian Baltic Fleet, and is likely to play an outsized role in any future Russia-NATO conflict.

The Saab submarine acquisition further expands NATO’s undersea capabilities in the Baltic following the alliance’s enlargement with Finland and Sweden. The A26 could also offer infrastructure protection, as recent concerns over pipelines and undersea communications cables have increased, leading to calls for persistent underwater surveillance; AUVs launched from the A26 could help monitor critical infrastructure and investigate suspected sabotage. The procurement deal also strengthens Poland’s domestic defense industrial base through maintenance and support infrastructure, ensuring the fleet can be sustained locally over its service life. 

Poland’s A26 acquisition represents a major leap in its naval capabilities. Through the combination of advanced stealth features, air-independent propulsion, and AUV deployment, the A26 is designed for modern undersea warfare, not just traditional Cold War-style patrols. As As tensions with Russia have grown, NATO has placed increased emphasis on securing the Baltic Sea and protecting critical maritime infrastructure. For these missions, platforms like the A26 will become increasingly important in the years ahead.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a writer and attorney focused on national security, technology, and political culture. His work has appeared in Tablet, City Journal, The Hill, The Spectator, and The Cipher Brief. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global & Joint Program Studies from NYU. More at harrisonkass.com.

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