Swedish defense contractor Saab has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Polish defense company Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) under which the two companies will work together on the planning and delivery of Polish naval programs, including surface ship and submarine construction for the Polish Navy and export customers.
Earlier this year Saab and PGZ signed a letter of intent to cooperate within a range of projects related to Poland’s defense modernization in the naval, air and land domains.
“I am convinced that the cooperation between Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa and Saab will be beneficial both for our partner and for the Polish Navy. Ensuring Polish security, also at sea, is one of the most important tasks for PGZ arising from the technical modernisation plan. The signing of this agreement opens the door for the Polish defence and shipbuilding industries to a wide range of technological cooperation, while for the Polish Navy, it is an opportunity to procure the most modern ships,” said Arkadiusz Siwko , CEO of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa.
The Polish Armed forces are currently seeking to develop modern defence capabilities through 15 priority modernization programs. Importantly these include plans for the purchase of modern submarines and surface ships to boost the potential of the Polish Navy.
Saab is currently building the first A26 submarine for the Swedish Navy as well as working on half time modernization of existing submarines.
“Saab sees the Polish market as very important and aims at developing an even stronger partnership. We share the same security challenges in the Baltic Sea and together we can work to deepen defence projects partnership and offer an unbeatable industrial offering to the Polish end customer,” Gunnar Wieslander , head of Saab Kockums, explained.
Saab is present in Poland with Sea Giraffe radars, RBS15 Mk 3 missiles for the FAC Orkan vessels and other defense forces equipment.