At the MSPO 2025 defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland’s state-owned defense conglomerate Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and France’s Naval Group announced a strategic partnership for the long-delayed Orka submarine program. The agreement marks a significant step forward in modernizing the Polish Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities and deepens Franco-Polish industrial cooperation in high-end naval technologies.
Strategic Context of the Orka Submarine Program
The Orka program is Poland’s flagship initiative to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era Kobben-class (ex-Norwegian Type 207) and Kilo-class submarines. Originally launched over a decade ago, the program has faced repeated delays due to shifting political priorities and budgetary constraints. However, with growing concerns over maritime security in the Baltic Sea—particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—Warsaw has renewed its focus on acquiring modern diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) equipped with advanced sensors and air-independent propulsion (AIP).
The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MON) aims to procure at least two new-generation SSKs under Phase I of Orka by the early 2030s. The selected platform is expected to offer robust anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence gathering, and special forces insertion capabilities tailored for operations in shallow Baltic waters.
Naval Group’s Scorpène-Class as Leading Contender
Naval Group is offering its latest variant of the Scorpène-class submarine, a proven design already in service with several navies including Chile, Brazil, India, and Malaysia. The version proposed for Poland would likely include:
- AIP capability via MESMA or fuel-cell technology for extended submerged endurance;
- Combat Management System (CMS) derived from SUBTICS suite;
- Heavyweight torpedoes such as F21 Artemis;
- Mast-mounted sensors, including optronic masts and ESM systems;
- Optional integration of cruise missiles such as MBDA’s NCM.
The Scorpène design has been adapted for both tropical deep-water operations (e.g., Brazil) and littoral environments like those of Southeast Asia—making it well-suited for Baltic operations. Its modularity also allows customization based on end-user requirements.
Industrial Cooperation Framework with PGZ
A key feature of Naval Group’s offer is extensive local industrial participation through PGZ shipyards and subsidiaries such as PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and OBR CTM. According to statements at MSPO 2025:
- The partnership will enable technology transfer covering hull construction techniques, CMS integration, sonar systems calibration, and maintenance procedures;
- A significant portion of final assembly could take place in Gdynia or Gdańsk shipyards under PGZ management;
- The collaboration includes training pipelines for Polish engineers and technicians at French facilities.
This aligns with Warsaw’s broader push to develop sovereign defense-industrial capabilities under its “Technological Sovereignty” doctrine. For PGZ—which lacks recent experience in submarine construction—the partnership represents a leap forward into complex naval systems integration.
Competing Offers from Saab Kockums and TKMS
The Naval Group-PGZ bid faces stiff competition from other European contenders:
TkMS – Type 212CD or Type 214 Variant
Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has long been considered a front-runner due to existing German-Polish military ties. TKMS could offer either an export-oriented variant of the Type 212CD—currently being built for Norway and Germany—or an upgraded Type 214 platform with fuel-cell AIP.
Saab Kockums – A26 Blekinge Class
Sweden’s Saab Kockums is promoting its A26 Blekinge-class submarine featuring Stirling engine-based AIP. The A26 is optimized for shallow-water operations with modular payload options including swimmer delivery vehicles.
All three bidders are emphasizing local production partnerships; however, Naval Group appears uniquely positioned due to its past success delivering localized builds (e.g., Brazil’s PROSUB program).
Tactical Implications for Baltic Sea Operations
If selected by MON under Orka Phase I or II procurement rounds (expected decisions by late 2026), Scorpène-class boats would significantly enhance Poland’s deterrence posture against Russian naval activity in the Baltic Sea:
- AIP-equipped SSKs provide days-long submerged endurance without snorkeling—critical in contested littoral zones where detection risk is high;
- Cruise missile capability, if integrated later via NCM or similar weapons systems, would give Warsaw limited sea-based land attack options;
- SIGINT/ISR payloads, including fiber-optic sonar arrays or UUV launch capability from torpedo tubes, could support broader NATO maritime domain awareness missions.
NATO allies currently operating modern SSKs in the region include Germany (Type 212A), Sweden (Gotland/A26), Norway (future Type 212CD), while Finland recently procured Pohjanmaa-class corvettes but lacks subsurface assets entirely.
Next Steps Toward Contracting Decision
The Polish Ministry of Defence is expected to issue an updated RfP by Q1–Q2 of 2026 following detailed evaluations throughout late FY2025. Key decision factors will include:
- Total lifecycle cost vs capability gain;
- Sovereign sustainment potential via PGZ involvement;
- NATO interoperability standards compliance;
- Maturity/readiness level of offered platforms.
If negotiations proceed smoothly post-selection (~late-2026), lead boat delivery could occur by ~2031–2033 depending on build location and training timelines.
Conclusion: Strategic Depth Beneath Baltic Waters?
The Naval Group-PGZ agreement signed at MSPO represents more than just a bid—it signals deeper Franco-Polish alignment on defense-industrial cooperation amid rising regional threats. Whether Warsaw ultimately selects Scorpène or another European design remains uncertain; however, this partnership positions both firms strongly ahead of final evaluations under one of Europe’s most strategically significant conventional submarine programs now underway.
