Poland and Baltic States Seek New Submarines and Attack Boats to Counter Russian Threat

Key Takeaways

Poland plans to acquire 3-4 new submarines under the urgent Orka program to modernize its outdated naval fleet.
Latvia and Lithuania are partnering to purchase advanced attack boats from Marine Alutech to enhance maritime defense capabilities.
The new vessels for Lithuania will be designed for shallow waters, featuring advanced combat systems and are expected to enter service by late 2026.

In a bid to strengthen their naval capabilities, Poland and the Baltic states are increasing efforts to acquire advanced submarines and attack vessels. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, announced that the Polish Navy aims to order three to four new submarines by the end of this year as part of the urgent Orka program. This decision comes as the current fleet heavily relies on a single outdated Soviet-designed submarine, the Kilo-class ORP Orzel, deemed unsuitable for modern naval warfare.

The Polish ministry has disclosed that the highest proposals have come from Germany, Sweden, and Italy, amidst competition from various global manufacturers, including France’s Naval Group and South Korea’s Hyundai. A spokesperson for the ministry indicated that while a few offers lead the scoring, no proposals have been entirely dismissed, as discussions with foreign governments remain underway.

In tandem with Poland’s submarine efforts, Latvia and Lithuania are collaborating to procure multipurpose attack boats from Finnish shipbuilder Marine Alutech as part of the Common Future Multipurpose Attack Craft (CFMAC) initiative. This program is a follow-up to the 2024 Technical Agreement aimed at enhancing regional defense cooperation. The arrangement will enable Lithuania to acquire two advanced Fast Multirole Attack Crafts, which are specifically designed for operations in shallow waters, addressing a significant gap in maritime defense capabilities.

According to a spokesperson for Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence, these vessels will be integrated into the Coastal Defense Battalion and will feature sophisticated combat systems, including Spike NLOS missile launchers and remote heavy machine gun controls. This integration will empower Lithuania to effectively engage both maritime and land targets, thus significantly bolstering its naval defense capabilities.

The vessels are uniquely designed to navigate shallow waters, including areas like the Curonian Lagoon, where conventional vessels may lag in performance. The design and propulsion capabilities will allow Lithuania to maintain a rapid response against diverse threats, ranging from unconventional warfare to traditional military operations.

Set to enter service by late 2026, these attack craft represent just one part of Lithuania’s broader ambitions to modernize its naval capabilities further. Between 2030 and 2037, the country plans a significant modernization of its naval fleet, including the acquisition of multirole offshore patrol vessels equipped with advanced technologies to meet evolving security challenges.

Marine Alutech, located on the Finnish Baltic Sea shore, has a notable history, having constructed over 500 vessels since its establishment in 1985. As regional tensions underline the necessity for upgraded maritime defense, both Poland and the Baltic states are taking proactive measures to ensure they are well-equipped to face current and future challenges.

This concerted effort reflects a growing recognition of the importance of naval strength in ensuring national security and regional stability in the face of evolving threats.

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