Italy’s M23 Srl Offers C-Class Midget Submarines to the Polish Navy

On June 17th, Poland’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Paweł Bejda, held talks with executives from the Italian shipbuilder M23 Srl, led by CEO Bruno Peracchi. The meeting, also attended by Italian Ambassador Luca Franchetti Pardo, focused on the potential inclusion of C-Class midget submarines in Poland’s naval modernization plans.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 17.06.2025, 22:09 Reading time: 2 min

Military and civilian delegations sit at an oval conference table under Polish, EU and NATO flags — fot. Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej

In brief

Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda met on 17 June with representatives of the Italian company M23 Srl, a manufacturer of small MIDGET-class submarines, in the presence of Italian Ambassador Luca Franchetti Pardo. The C-series submarines are about 23 metres long, displace up to 150 tonnes, have diesel-electric propulsion with lithium batteries, a six-person crew, up to 6 special forces operators and two 533 mm torpedo tubes. The manufacturer declares readiness to deliver within two years, and the vessels could complement the Orka programme.

his comes as Poland continues its ORKA program — the strategic acquisition of new-generation full-sized submarines — and looks to expand its operational flexibility in the Baltic Sea with complementary, specialized platforms.

Compact, Stealthy, and Built for Littoral Warfare

Headquartered in Ciserano (Lombardy), M23 Srl specializes in the design and production of small, diesel-electric submarines, built in cooperation with Giunio Santi Engineering (GSE Trieste) and supported by the Italian industrial cluster centered in La Spezia. The company’s C-Class midget submarines, which are already under contract with foreign navies, are tailored for shallow-water operations, special forces deployment, and covert reconnaissance missions.

Key technical specifications include:

Length: ~23 meters
Displacement: Up to 150 tonnes
Operating Depth: ~200 meters
Speed: 12–16 knots
Crew: 6 + 6 special forces operatives
Armament: Two 533 mm torpedo tubes, loitering munitions, EW systems, and modular payloads

The C-Class features a dedicated lock-out chamber for combat diver operations and is powered by a hybrid diesel-lithium electric propulsion system, enabling extended autonomous missions lasting several weeks.

Poland Eyes Tactical Complement to ORKA

According to the Ministry of National Defence, the Italian submarines could serve as a tactical complement to the full-size ocean-going vessels planned under the ORKA program. While ORKA aims to deliver high-end deterrence capabilities, C-Class units offer speed, agility, and lower detectability — assets ideally suited for the Baltic’s shallow, complex underwater terrain.

Importantly, the platform enables a shorter procurement cycle (estimated 2 years from contract to delivery) and lower unit cost, reportedly under PLN 400 million (~€90M), depending on configuration.

Industrial Cooperation on the Table

Sources suggest the Polish side is not only evaluating the operational utility of the C-Class but is also open to broader industrial collaboration. This may include technology transfer, local assembly, or even joint development initiatives — aligning with Poland’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its domestic defense manufacturing base.

As hybrid threats and grey-zone operations become increasingly prominent in Europe’s maritime security landscape, compact and mission-adaptable submarines like the C-Class may offer a critical layer of resilience for mid-sized navies such as Poland’s.

Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier