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a whale swimming in the middle of the ocean
09 June 2026

The ORKA Program: An Opportunity for Submarine Construction in Poland

When I, as a 12-year-old boy, began to be fascinated by warships, global maritime geopolitics revolved around the great oceans and Cold War power rivalries. Today, after more than 40 years of my work as a shipbuilding engineer, we see a fundamental shift in the center of gravity. The significance of the seas is evolving before our eyes, and the melting Arctic ice cap is opening up the Northern Sea Route.
 
This new global trade highway drastically shortens the route from Asia to Europe, but it also shifts NATO and Russia's strategic focus northward. What does this mean for Poland and our submarine acquisition program ORKA?
From an engineering and shipyard perspective, Poland's choice of strategic partner must take into account these global tectonic changes:
 
  1. the Baltic as a "gateway" and a choke point: The Northern Routes do not exist in a vacuum. The Danish Straits and the Baltic Sea are becoming a crucial logistical support area and buffer zone for NATO's northern and eastern flanks. In this new balance of power, our Navy cannot just be a regional patrol fleet. We need submarines capable of operating in difficult, varied hydrological conditions.
     
  2. The Swedish Arctic perspective: The Polish Ministry of National Defence's choice of Sweden and the A26 Blekinge class submarines is a decision based on geographical realism. The Swedes design their vessels with the intention of operating in the challenging, shallow, and highly stratified waters of the Baltic, but their accession to NATO and proximity to the Arctic mean these designs must be ready for the challenges of the northern climate. The air-independent propulsion (AIP) system based on the Stirling engine is a technology proven in extreme conditions, ensuring extreme quietness.A26 Blekinge to decyzja oparta na geograficznym realizmie. Szwedzi projektują swoje jednostki z myślą o operowaniu w trudnych, płytkich i silnie uwarstwionych wodach Bałtyku, ale ich wejście do NATO i bliskość Arktyki sprawiają, że te konstrukcje muszą być gotowe na wyzwania klimatu północnego. System napędu niezależnego od powietrza (AIP) oparty na silniku Stirlinga to technologia sprawdzona w skrajnych warunkach, gwarantująca ekstremalne wyciszenie.
     
  3. Engineering resilience to extreme conditions: Climate change and the opening of northern routes compel ship engineers to adopt a new approach to hull design (strength against low temperatures, specifics of icing) and under-ice navigation systems. The Polish ORKA, collaborating with the Swedish industry, has the chance to enter the supply chain of the most advanced maritime technologies of the 21st century, rather than just purchasing a "box" product off the shelf.
 
Throughout decades of my career – from the drawing board to digital modeling – I have learned one thing: a warship is not designed for today. It is designed for 30–40 years ahead.
In a world where the Northern Routes will redefine global trade, the ORKA program based on Swedish technical thought is not just a defensive purchase. It is our Polish insurance policy on the new global maritime map.
How do colleagues from the defense and shipbuilding industry see the impact of the Arctic opening on the security architecture of our region?
 
Are our shipyards ready for the transfer of technology of this caliber?
 
Many commentators forget that the melting of Arctic ice is not just a topic for ecologists, but primarily a revolution for maritime logistics. Whoever controls the approaches and the logistics of these routes controls trade. As an engineer, I am pleased that in the ORKA program we are discussing modern AIP technologies, rather than outdated concepts. I am curious about your opinion: can the Polish shipbuilding industry handle the integration of such advanced systems as those offered by the Swedes?
 
- Artur Nastkiewicz
CEO of NavireTech Sp. z o.o.
 
#ProgramOrka #Shipbuilding #Engineering #NorthernRoutes #Geopolitics #Navy #NATO #SaabA26
 

Leader in shipbuilding.

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