Poland seeks South Korea's expertise for submarine enhancement

Poland is currently engaged in negotiations to finalize a significant defense agreement with Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean shipbuilding company. This deal involves an investment aimed at enhancing two major Polish shipyards, located in Gdansk and Gdynia, alongside the construction of three advanced submarines designed primarily for operations in the Baltic Sea. The potential contract, which is worth approximately $5.44 billion, reflects Poland's intent to modernize its naval capabilities, especially given the country's historically limited submarine force. The forthcoming submarines are expected to be based on the KSS-III Batch II class submarines, which are presently under construction for the Republic of Korea Navy. These vessels are armed with multiple systems, including capabilities for launching torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and cruise missiles, along with advanced features like Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP), enabling extended submerged deployments. Such attributes make these submarines ideally suited to secure vital infrastructure such as telecommunications and energy pipelines in the Baltic region. In addition to the submarine acquisition, Hanwha Ocean has proposed to lease a decommissioned KSS-I-class submarine, known as the Jang Bogo, to the Polish Navy. This submarine is scheduled to be retired from South Korean service in 2027, and once retrofitted, it could serve as a transitional asset for Poland, which has limited experience operating submarines. The initiative exemplifies collaboration between the two nations to bolster defense capabilities and enhance regional maritime security. Poland's pursuit of submarine technology acquisition also aligns with NATO's increased focus on Baltic security, particularly in light of the Baltic Sentry initiative. This effort aims to safeguard critical infrastructure traversing the Baltic Sea. Moreover, the Polish Navy's procurement efforts are further complemented by the signing of a contract for a new rescue ship, which is anticipated to be one of the largest military vessels operating in the region. The overall strategy signifies Poland's commitment to strengthening its maritime forces and ensuring greater participation in collective defense operations alongside NATO allies.