Poland in final stages of submarine negotiations
Poland operates a single submarine that entered service in the 1980s.
tvpworld.com
Poland is in advanced negotiations with six countries to purchase three new submarines under the long-delayed “Orka” program, with a decision expected by early 2025, Polish media report.
The Polish Defense Ministry is in government-to-government talks with France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and South Korea, evaluating proposals based on submarine capabilities, financing and delivery schedules.
Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda recently met officials in Italy, Germany and Sweden to review offers. Further talks with French representatives are scheduled in the coming weeks, the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported.
Poland’s Armament Agency has assessed the bids, ranking those from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Saab from Sweden and Italy’s Fincantieri as the most competitive. South Korea initially presented two bids but has consolidated its offer under Hanwha Ocean.
A final decision is expected by September, during the International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, with a formal contract anticipated in the following months. However, delivery is unlikely before 2032, meaning the new submarines will not become operational until the latter half of the next decade.