Poland and the Baltic States are considering the purchase of new submarines and combat boats to strengthen deterrence against Russian ships in the Baltic Sea area, DefenceNews reported.
Poland under the Orka (“Kosatka”) programme plans to order three or four new submarines by the end of 2025, as the navy currently relies on the only obsolete Soviet-built submarine, the ORP Orzeł. Currently, the highest scoring proposals come from Germany, Sweden and Italy.
Latvia and Lithuania have teamed up to purchase multipurpose attack boats from Finnish shipbuilder Marine Alutech. Under the CFMAC (Common Future Multipurpose Attack Craft) programme, the shipyard will develop and deliver combat boats based on the Watercat M18 project.
Lithuania will receive two of these boats for its coastal defence battalion in 2026.
The boats will be equipped with advanced combat systems, including Israeli Spike NLOS missile launchers and remotely operated combat modules with large-calibre machine guns, enabling them to effectively engage both sea and land targets at long ranges.
The boats are specifically designed for operations in shallow waters, such as the Gulf of Kursh, which will provide Lithuania with the ability to respond quickly to various threats.
Reports of plans to purchase the vessels come amid Russia’s naval exercises in the Baltic Sea. More than 20 ships, about 25 aeroplanes and helicopters and about three thousand servicemen took part in the exercises, which began at the end of May. In addition to the Baltic Fleet forces, the Northern Fleet was involved, as well as aviation of the Air and Space Forces, the Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts.