Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1220268
ORP "Sęp", one of the Polish Navy's Kobben-class subs. It was to act as a gap filler for the Orka program. However, the priorities wer shifted - the ex-Norwe- gian subs would be replaced by a Swedish gap-filler. information suggests that the Swedes are offering two A17 class (Västergötland) submarines to Poland. These have been in operation since the 1980s. In 2003-2004 they have undergone upgrades, including installation of AIP system. Solution as such would buy Poland some time required to build new vessels, if that happens anytime soon. Let us recall that Poland, due to budgetary constraints, has leased and bought two Project 641 submarines and bought them later on, in order to complement the potential offered by ORP "Orzeł". Lack of prospects with re- gards to potential procurement of new submarines in the West forced Poland to replace both vessels with four Kobben-class submarines procured in Norway. Västergötlands would thus be- come another piece of the Polish Navy's temporary puzzle. Recently the media have been reporting on rumors pertaining to potential procurement of second-hand submarines as an Orka gap-filler. The types mentioned included Type 209 vessels from Brazil, leasing of used 212A submarines in Germany or several Swedish proposals, including acquisition of second-hand A17s or procurement of two vessels as such from Singapore, with involvement of the Saab company. It seems that the MoD ulti- mately considers the Swedish way to be most reasonable. www.fragoutmag.com