Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced on Wednesday that the country will begin a submarine procurement program in 2023.
Blaszczak said this during the two-day Defense24 Day conference, quoted by RMF FM.
"Later this year, we plan to start the procedure aimed at acquiring submarines along with the transfer of the necessary technologies," said Blaszczak, announcing the start of the Orka program.
Blaschak emphasized that "a full-fledged Navy should include not only surface ships, but also those that can move inconspicuously under water."
He added that in the near future the ministry will announce more detailed information about the number of ships, their equipment and competencies.
Currently, the Polish Navy has one submarine. This is a Kilo-type vessel launched in 1985. The apparatus was modernized and overhauled, between 2020 and 2021 the ship underwent at least 10 repairs, but its current condition is unknown.
"We want our submarines to be characterized by the durability of the missions they perform, as well as high power in terms of combat equipment and configuration flexibility. As well as a high ability to covertly move at high speed and long-term covert underwater waiting," said the head of the Ministry of Defense Poland.
The other day, Blaszczak said that Poland is negotiating the purchase of Swedish early warning aircraft and hopes that the negotiations will be completed soon.
Poland has increased its military spending since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, and the government has pledged to double the size of its army and spend 4% of GDP on defense by 2023.
