Sweden formalises preparations for Poland's temporary submarine

HMS Södermanland surfaced in coastal waters with small islands in the background which are characteristic of the Swedish archipelago. The image was taken from an FMV press release issued on 15 October 2026. (Swedish Armed Forces)

Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration ( Försvarets materielverk : FMV) and Armed Forces have agreed their roles in preparing HMS Södermanland for lease to Poland, FMV announced on 15 October 2026.

Warsaw ordered three A26 submarines from Saab, having signed a contract on 29 June 2026, according to the manufacturer's press release. On the same day, Sweden and Poland signed the lease agreement for HMS Södermanland as an interim platform. The subsequent agreement announced on 15 October sets out FMV's and the Swedish Armed Forces' responsibilities for preparing, maintaining, and supporting the submarine during the lease.

The Swedish Armed Forces considers the A26 a technological leap, especially compared to Poland's sole Cold War-era Kilo-class submarine. The transition comes with a steep learning curve as the new type provides quieter, digitally integrated operations, and the ability to deploy unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), Saab said. Deliveries will be phased, with the final submarines scheduled for delivery in 2038, the company added.

Polish submariners will train to operate HMS Södermanland – a Södermanland-class submarine, derived from the Västergötland class – at Karlskrona over 18 months, according to the Swedish Navy, which released footage of their arrival at the naval base in a post on X on 19 August 2026. The training begins at the Naval Combat School and then continues at the First Submarine Flotilla.

HMS Södermanland