Portal partners
Portal partners
Another delay in Sweden. Type A26 submarines only after 2030
The Swedish program for the construction of A26 submarines is once again facing difficulties. According to the latest information, the transfer of units HMS Blekinge and HMS Skåne will take place no earlier than 2031–2035. Delay may also affect Polish plans to purchase submarines.
In the article
Another delay in A26
Saab Kockums intensively seeks contract in Polish program Eagle, offering units coming directly from Project A26. However – as well as with a note of irony, Antoni Walkowski wrote in Defence24: "Kinging of herring, or Swedish Orka again delayed" – A26 program with another postponement of completion date.
According to the information cited by Walkowski, based on data Aftonbladet, the report of Försvarscoutten and the draft defense budget for 2025, the transfer of two ships ordered still in 2015 was postponed until 2031–2035. For Warsaw, considering the Swedish offer as one of the options in Orce, the question remains whether Saab Kockums can provide timely and safe delivery – which has not yet been achieved even in the case of domestic order.
Moreover, the costs of the entire program went up – from the original 8.6 billion kroner to over 14 billion. The Försvarstakten report explicitly stated that it would be necessary to renegotiate both the timetable and the financing model. In other words: the problem not only drags on, but also more expensive, and the end cannot be seen.
A26 – Swedish program with ambition and baggage problems
Construction of HMS ships Blekinge and HMS Skåne was to symbolize the revival of the Swedish shipbuilding industry after a difficult period when Saab Kockums was under German control thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The acquisition by Saaba in 2014 opened a new chapter, but the reality proved more complex.
The first delays resulted from changes in the Gestapo's requirements, as well as underestimation of costs which significantly increased the programme's implementation time. Moreover, according to Finnish analyst Robin Häggblom, the initial concepts of the new type A30 – smaller, but much more heavily armed submarines, which in the future can partially replace the planned type A26 units, have already emerged.
An uncomfortable prospect of waiting for Poland
In recent months Saab has been actively seeking interest in Polish MON in export offer for A26 submarines. Meetings at level Government and military, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk or Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz suggested the openness of the Swedish side to cooperation.
However, current delays call into question the reality of the supply of these units at a reasonable time horizon. For Poland, which intensifys actions under the programme Eaglesuch information should be an important warning signal.
What about the Swedish ship industry?
Though Saab Kockums has know-how and potential, delays of the A26 programme remind earlier problems with the Spanish type S-80. There, the difficulties were finally overcome – will the Swedes succeed?
In the long term, other units are already considered – so-called. submarines 30 (A30?)to replace ageing Gotland-type units. However, the coming years may sometimes be limited submarine capabilities for the Swedish Navy, and for Saab – an attempt to regain the confidence of domestic and foreign customers.
Source: Deffence24/MD
Related entries
PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and JRCKT with container converter contract
PGZ Stocznia Wojenna signed an agreement with the Military Central Engineering and Technology Office of S.A. (CBKT S.A.) to design and supply container converters for frigates built under the Sword Program.
In the article
This is another concrete step in the construction of the Polish supply chain for the new ships of the Polish Navy and a real strengthening of the national defence and shipbuilding industry.
JRCKT will provide container converters for the Swordbar frigate
JRCKT will design, perform and install two 950 kW minimum output converters each, built in 40-foot containers made by sea. The scope of the work will also include medium voltage infrastructure and a wiring system that allows the unit to be connected and disconnected from a terrestrial power source.
The solution will allow to power the frigate Swordfish from the mainland during a stop in the port. This means a higher operational readiness, a lower load of on-board energy systems and a reduced consumption of ship's resources at rest. It is an element that directly translates into efficiency of operation of units and reduces the cost of their maintenance in life cycle.
JRCKT expands competence – support of the Sword and Polish defence industry program
JRCKT is a Warsaw company with over 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing equipment for the military. The company specialises in ground handling of aircraft and remains the only entity in Poland capable of providing comprehensive equipment for military airports. Entering the marine power system segment shows the expansion of competences with new defence domains.
For years, JRCKT has been working with American partners on air and land projects, and we are now jointly opening a new chapter in naval defense programs. As a company of the PGZ Group – we show that we can meet the requirements of the Polish Navy also in the most technologically advanced projects.
Marcin Ryngwelski, President PGZ Stocznia Wojenna
Wherever possible, we focus on Polish partners. Each such contract means maintaining and developing jobs, transferring competences and increasing the participation of national companies in the implementation of strategic modernisation programmes. Construction of the frigate is not only strengthening the Polish Navy, but also a long-term investment in industrial sovereignty, security of supply and development of the Polish defence industry.
