The "Orka" Programme Opens a New Stage in Poland-Sweden Cooperation

One of the most important results of the consultations was the signing of an agreement to purchase three A26 submarines for the Polish Navy under the "Orka" programme.

“We put a great deal of effort and hard work into making this a reality, not only the signing of the many documents today, including this significant agreement on the "Orka" programme and the purchase of the submarines, but also in many other areas,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a statement to the media.

This is the most important contract in the history of the Polish Navy.

“Generations of sailors have waited for this day. For 30 years the "Orka" programme could not be brought to a conclusion. It was only the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk that succeeded in doing so,” stressed Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

The agreements signed are proof of the trust and partnership between the two countries.

“This is a historic day. It is a major milestone, 3 Swedish A26 submarines will become Poland's property. This is a very large undertaking. We are talking about 50 billion Swedish kronor once it all comes together,” said the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson.

The "Orka" programme is not only the purchase of modern armaments, but above all the beginning of long-term industrial cooperation between Poland and Sweden.

“We have ambitious plans for this great "Orka" project to be merely a stage, and not the finale, of our cooperation,” announced the head of the Polish government.

Poland's purchase of the submarines, together with Sweden's acquisition of a rescue vessel and Piorun sets, shows that the two countries have become equal partners. The development of Poland's defence industry remains one of the government's priorities, and cooperation with Sweden provides a further impetus for strengthening the country's production and technological capabilities.

“These are not simple purchases in one direction or the other, but authentic, genuinely partner-based cooperation for the benefit of both industries,” said Donald Tusk.

The Polish-Swedish consultations were held under the renewed Strategic Partnership signed in Harpsund in November 2024. The meeting was attended by the ministers of national defence, foreign affairs, finance, culture and national heritage, and infrastructure.

A Secure Baltic as a Shared Responsibility

Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed that Poland and Sweden are consistently working together to make the Baltic Sea an area of peace and security.

“We are doing all this also for our children and grandchildren, so that our region, our countries and the Baltic Sea may be an area of peace and security, and not, as is sometimes the case today, an area of unrest and threat,” declared Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The head of government also noted that both countries have played an important role in building regional cooperation that has significantly increased the security of citizens in the countries bordering the Baltic. Sweden's accession to NATO has further strengthened the security of the entire region.

“Together with Sweden, we bear responsibility for building a new security architecture for the Baltic Sea and NATO,” said Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson drew attention to the exceptionally good relations between the two countries.

“Relations between Poland and Sweden are the best in their entire history. They are deeper and stronger than ever before. We are allies in NATO, strategic partners in the European Union, and neighbours on the Baltic Sea,” said Ulf Kristersson.

Poland and Sweden share the same assessment of the threats to European security and remain aligned on continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Both countries also advocate decisive action for the security of the Baltic Sea, free from the activities of the Russian shadow fleet, from provocations and from military threats.