Poland is seeking to buy three submarines under its "Orka" programme as part of an expansion of its military to counter what it says is a growing threat from Russia following Moscow's 2022 invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Polish media have reported that offers from fellow-NATO and European Union members Germany, Italy and Sweden were frontrunners in the multibillion-dollar programme, with a decision expected later this year.
Hanwha Ocean is offering its KSS-III Batch-2 vessels, with the first delivery possible early next decade, and an older KSS-I submarine, currently used by the South Korean navy, as an interim solution or "gap-filler" for the Polish navy to start training on as soon as 2028.
"Our reinforced proposal is built on three core areas: providing robust financial support, helping enhance Poland's defence capabilities, and deepening industrial cooperation with Polish partners," Jaemin Kim, Orka programme manager at Hanwha Ocean, told a press briefing in Warsaw.
"We know that financing is a critical enabler of the Orka programme, and that is why we are already working with the new Korean government, which is also strongly committed to supporting defence exports, to prepare a financing package tailored for Poland," he added.
The commercial bank financing offer, the result of an international tender, is independent of EU funds, Hanwha Ocean said in a press release, adding that in parallel, long-term financial instruments supported by the South Korean government were also being considered.
"Hanwha Ocean can deliver the first (KSS-III) submarine within six years of contract signing, one of the shortest timelines in the industry today," Kim added.
"Our base proposal envisions delivering each follow-on submarine every 12 to 18 months. But, however, if the Polish Navy prefers, we can accelerate the delivery of the second and third submarines, potentially reducing the total programme timeline."
