Autor: Rafał Lipka & Sebastian Czub

ORKA Submarine Program: Strategic Implications for the Polish Navy and Shipbuilding Industry examines Poland’s urgent need to renew its undersea capabilities amid growing strategic pressures in the Baltic Sea. After two decades of naval underinvestment and the continued reliance on a single forty-year-old Kilo-class submarine, Poland faces a widening deterrence gap that risks dependence on allied assets. This report argues that the ORKA program—envisioned to field a new class of multipurpose, cruise-missile-capable submarines with air-independent propulsion—must be accelerated to safeguard maritime trade routes, national infrastructure, and regional stability.

Beyond its defense rationale, ORKA submarine program offers a transformative opportunity for Poland’s domestic shipbuilding sector. Drawing on analyses of leading global submarine designs, the paper highlights how technology transfers, modular construction, and lifecycle-support partnerships can revitalize Polish shipyards. By embedding state-of-the-art naval engineering practices and advanced management systems, Poland can propel its yards toward sustainable innovation, unlocking spillover benefits for civilian maritime industries.

The report presents a forward-looking framework for combining strategic procurement with industrial renewal. It shows how, through targeted collaboration with experienced international partners, Poland can not only field a modern submarine fleet but also cultivate an innovation-driven maritime ecosystem—strengthening long-term economic resilience and national autonomy.

Please download the FULL PAPER through the link below.