WARSAW, Poland — The Polish Ministry of National Defence has selected the country’s new submarine, opting for the A26 Blekinge, a design offered by Sweden’s Saab.

The decision followed an intense competition between six European and Asian nations. Poland aims to procure three submarines for the country’s Navy, with plans to have a contract signed by the end of this year.

“This is a great day for the security of the Polish state, a great day for the Polish Navy. We are finalizing our promise, fulfilling what we have declared. Poland will acquire three submarines under the Orka program,” Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the country’s deputy prime minister and defense minister, said at a Nov. 26 press conference.

“This decision builds a new security architecture in the Baltic Sea,” he added.

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