The planning and early steps of the Orka program are underway, with officials outlining a bold path for Poland’s naval future this year. Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak spoke during the Defense24 Day conference, where he emphasized that the nation aims to initiate a procurement project tied to submarines and the transfer of essential technologies. The overarching goal is to equip the fleet with underwater capabilities that complement surface units, reflecting a strategic move toward a more capable and versatile navy. According to reports from PAP, Błaszczak underscored the need for a balanced maritime force that can project power both above and below the waterline, ensuring survivability and influence in diverse maritime environments.
During the two-day Defense24 Day event, the minister explained that a truly modern navy requires more than visible surface ships. The plan is to develop a submarine capability that can operate quietly beneath the waves, enhancing stealth, endurance, and tactical reach. He described a comprehensive approach to maritime security that integrates underwater mobility with surface presence, pointing to the necessity of submarines as a core element of strategic deterrence and regional interoperability. The remarks, captured by defense commentators, reflect a clear intent to build a submarine program that aligns with national defense priorities and long-term capability goals.
The Orka program is set to begin with a procurement process aimed at acquiring submarines and securing the accompanying technologies through an offset arrangement. This method is intended to foster domestic industrial participation, ensuring technology transfer and sustained industrial benefits while meeting strategic needs. Officials noted that the process would be transparent and guided by rigorous evaluation to guarantee interoperability with allied forces and the ability to maintain advanced submarine platforms over time. The emphasis on offsets suggests a broad effort to strengthen national shipbuilding capabilities and skilled employment, consistent with broader defense modernization objectives as cited by defense policy observers.
Several officials indicated that specific details about the number of submarines, their sensors, propulsion systems, and onboard combat assets would be disclosed in due course. The Ministry of National Defense highlighted that the forthcoming information would clarify how the submarines would integrate with existing fleets, command and control networks, and allied maritime operations. The focus remains on long-range mission capability, reliable endurance, and flexible configurations that can adapt to evolving threats and missions in peacetime and crisis scenarios alike, as noted by defense press outlets.
Key characteristics defining the envisioned submarines include extended underwater endurance, substantial payload capacity, and the ability to perform creeping movements at high speeds while remaining hard to detect. These attributes are intended to provide strategic depth, enabling persistent patrols, covert reconnaissance, and rapid response to maritime incidents. The defense leadership stressed that the platforms would be designed with modularity in mind, allowing for upgrades in sensors, weapons, and countermeasures to keep pace with advancing technologies. The statements reinforce the government’s commitment to a robust naval capability capable of deterring aggression and protecting national interests in regional waters.
Analysts note that the Orka program represents a significant milestone in Poland’s defense modernization and its broader push to strengthen deterrence across the Baltic and adjacent seaways. By combining submarine procurement with technology transfer and industrial offsets, Warsaw aims to cultivate a sustainable domestic supply chain and maintain a leadership role in regional maritime security. Observers also point out that successful execution will require close collaboration with international partners, rigorous project management, and a clear framework for knowledge transfer that benefits critical industries beyond the military sphere. The discussion on submarines forms part of a wider strategic conversation about ensuring freedom of operation at sea and protecting national security in a complex, rapidly evolving maritime domain, as reported by close defense coverage.
Overall, the Orka initiative positions Poland to enhance its maritime reach with underwater capabilities that complement surface forces. If implemented effectively, the program could deliver a durable platform for deterrence, intelligence gathering, and strategic flexibility, while fostering advanced industrial capabilities at home. The ministry plans to release further specifics on ship counts, configuration options, and the scope of technology transfer in the near future, with continued briefings expected to address how these submarines will operate within the broader NATO framework, a topic frequently discussed in defense briefings and summarized by defense media sources and analysts including PAP.