Korean shipbuilding alliance joins Poland’s ORKA submarine programme

This collaboration marks the first formal partnership between these two companies in an export programme, although they have previously worked together on domestic Korean KSS projects.

The Korean offer for ORKA

The joint bid covers an integrated package that includes:

• KSS-III Batch-2 (KSS-III PL) — a next-generation submarine equipped with Vertical Launch Systems (VLS), Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP), and lithium-ion batteries.
• HDS-2300 — a smaller, 2,300-ton platform optimised for operations in the confined waters of the Baltic Sea.
• Training facilities — including a dedicated training ship to prepare crews ahead of the submarines’ operational deployment.
• Full MRO and technology transfer — building a service and maintenance centre in Poland and partial localisation of production.
• Financing solutions — including export credit mechanisms to ease budgetary pressure on the Ministry of National Defence.

What sets the Korean proposal apart

The Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai HHI offer stands out primarily for its operational and technological experience. Both companies have successfully delivered KSS I–III class submarines to the Republic of Korea Navy, providing a proven track record of design, construction, and serial production — factors that reduce risk in large-scale naval programmes.

A key element of the Korean approach is conceptual flexibility. The offer includes two distinct platforms: the larger, ocean-going KSS-III PL and the smaller, Baltic-optimised HDS-2300. This gives Poland an opportunity to align the choice of vessel with strategic needs and the programme’s timeline.

Financially, Hanwha Ocean distinguishes itself by including a comprehensive financing package. Export credit support and other mechanisms could significantly reduce the fiscal burden of the ORKA programme and enhance its viability.

Finally, technology transfer is central to the proposal. Both companies have signalled cooperation with Polish shipyards, offering training programmes and engineering development. For Poland, this could mean a long-term boost to the domestic defence industry and partial localisation of submarine production — a critical factor in national technological sovereignty.

Strategic implications for Poland

The Korean bid offers Poland access to advanced submarine technology, supported by a long-term maintenance and training programme. Beyond the acquisition of modern platforms, the proposal promises capacity building for Poland’s shipbuilding sector.

However, challenges remain. Poland must ensure interoperability with NATO systems and address potential delays in establishing the proposed service infrastructure. The choice between the KSS-III PL and HDS-2300 platforms will hinge on balancing strategic reach, operational requirements, and the timeline for delivery.

The decision will have far-reaching consequences for the Polish Navy and the defence sector. The Hanwha Ocean–HD Hyundai HHI alliance presents not only a competitive technical offer but also a model of industrial cooperation that could shape Poland’s naval capabilities for decades to come.