WARSAW – Poland is preparing to make a decisive move in its long-running submarine procurement drive, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk announcing that the government will adopt a resolution this week to secure contracts for new submarines by the end of the year.
The acquisition is part of Poland’s ambitious ‘Orka’ programme, which envisages the purchase of three submarines aimed at modernising naval capabilities, strengthening deterrence, and reinforcing NATO cooperation in the face of heightened security risks following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“We will adopt a resolution that commits to purchasing submarines by the end of this year. The bids have been reviewed, and now the Polish government will decide who will be the programme’s partner,” Tusk told reporters on Tuesday.
Media reports indicate that Germany, Italy, and Sweden, all NATO and EU partners, have emerged as frontrunners for the multi-billion-dollar deal. Earlier this month, Italian defense giant Fincantieri signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) to jointly support the modernisation of Poland’s navy, underscoring Italy’s serious bid.
Meanwhile, South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean continues to position itself as a contender, having included a financing package in its June submarine proposal.
Once concluded, the Orka programme will mark Poland’s first submarine purchase in decades and a significant step toward reshaping its naval presence in the Baltic Sea to counter new geopolitical challenges.