French company Naval Group and Poland’s PGZ (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa) have signed an industrial cooperation agreement that includes technology transfer, local production, and naval engineering support. Although the agreement does not explicitly mention the Polish Navy’s Orka Program, it opens the door for Scorpène attack submarines—or another model—to be considered as an option for renewing the country’s submarine capabilities.
The Orka Program aims to provide the Polish Navy with at least three new conventional attack submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology, vertical missile launchers, and state-of-the-art combat systems. The current fleet is reduced to ORP Orzeł, a Kilo-class submarine in service since 1986, following the retirement of four Norwegian Kobben-class boats—highlighting the urgent need to modernize Poland’s submarine force.
Although the memorandum does not explicitly reference the Orka Program, Naval Group’s extensive experience in designing and building the Scorpène family makes it a strong contender. The class, already in service with a growing number of navies worldwide, offers in its most advanced variants: closed-cycle AIP propulsion; the SUBTICS combat management system and modular architecture; the ability to launch heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. In addition, the submarines could be built and assembled in Polish shipyards under technology transfer agreements.
South Korean company Hanwha Defense has also entered the competition, offering its KSS-III Batch II submarines as an alternative for the Orka Program. These units include a plan for local shipyard maintenance and technical support, while prioritizing rapid delivery timelines through construction in South Korea, combined with knowledge transfer for sustainment in Poland.
The signing of the Naval Group–PGZ agreement marks the beginning of a decisive stage for the Orka Program. With contenders such as the Scorpène and KSS-III, and other companies expected to join in the future—such as Britain’s Babcock, leveraging its Royal Navy experience and past collaboration with PGZ in the Miecznik frigate program—Poland will need to balance delivery speed, technology transfer, and industrial strengthening to secure its next generation of submarines.
Photographs and images used for illustrative purposes.
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