On Friday, June 27, 2025, the South Korean company Hanwha Ocean presented, during a press briefing in the center of Warsaw, a proposal for a comprehensive source of financing for the Orka program, independent of EU funds and tailored to Poland’s needs.
Photos: Hanwha Ocean
The company announced yesterday that, as a result of an international tender, it has secured an offer for commercial bank financing. The details of the proposal have been submitted to the Polish side in the form of a Letter of Intent (LoI). In parallel, long-term financial instruments supported by the South Korean government are also being considered.
“Our goal is to provide Poland with an optimal financing model that will ensure the efficient implementation of the Orka program,” said Steve Jeong, Vice President and Head of the Warship Business Group at Hanwha Ocean, during the press briefing. “This proposal offers flexibility and predictability, and most importantly, gives Poland full control over the development of its own naval capabilities.”
The South Korean Navy currently operates 21 submarines – a total comparable to that of Northern European countries. It is worth highlighting that for over three decades, South Korean submarines have not experienced a single major incident, which stands as a strong testament to the reliability of the country’s shipbuilding technology and its high level of MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) expertise (South Korea: Development of KSS-IV submarines from 2028).
Also attending the meeting with journalists was Jacek Cyrek, President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, who reaffirmed the company’s strong and stable commitment to Poland. He emphasized that Hanwha is not a new player in the market and that its cooperation with Poland has been developing for over a decade. It is built on lasting foundations developed in partnership with the Polish industry, mutual trust, and a proven track record of reliable deliveries and support from South Korea.
Industrial Partnership: Rebuilding Poland’s Shipbuilding Industry
Hanwha Ocean has declared its full commitment to cooperation with Polish shipyards – both in servicing vessels of the Polish Navy and those of allied forces, including NATO and the United States. This cooperation includes:
- Maintenance and operational support for submarines;
- Servicing of surface vessels;
- Construction of new surface ships.
“This is a partnership of strategic importance. It opens new industrial opportunities for Poland, creates jobs, and strengthens national technological capabilities,” emphasized Vice President Jeong, who is a retired Vice Admiral of the South Korean Navy.
As part of its long-term commitment, Hanwha Ocean plans to launch a 100 million USD investment fund aimed at supporting the development of advanced technologies in Poland’s maritime and defense sectors.
In addition, a modern training center will be established in the Pomerania region. It will offer modular courses, workshops utilizing VR/AR (virtual/augmented reality), and expert-led mentoring – all focused on educating a new generation of engineers.
MRO Technology Transfer: Building Local Maintenance Capabilities
One of the key elements of the offer is the transfer of MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) competencies for submarines – carried out in phases and tailored to Poland’s specific needs. In cooperation with PGZ/Nauta, a plan is being developed that includes training, infrastructure development, and spare parts management – all deeply rooted in the national maritime ecosystem.
Hanwha Ocean plans to establish an integrated training and logistics center, as well as transfer technology for over 3,000 catalogued MRO items – enabling Polish shipyards to independently service the future submarine fleet.
Joint Development of New Vessels – Going Beyond the Orka Program
As part of its long-term cooperation proposal, Hanwha is offering joint design and construction of new naval platforms, such as:
- Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV);
- Fast Attack Missile Craft;
- Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) for mine warfare;
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV).
The project envisions the possibility of jointly developing a brand, producing, and promoting these platforms on international markets – leveraging Polish industrial capabilities and South Korean technologies.
Proven Design: Engineered for Real-World Threats
The KSS-III is the most advanced conventionally powered submarine currently in service, designed for the demanding operational environment of East Asia.
Thanks to its battle-proven solutions and real-world operational experience, this vessel offers a scalable, ready-to-deploy platform – ideally suited to meet Poland’s maritime security needs.
The KSS-III is equipped with next-generation lithium-ion batteries and an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, enabling extended submerged endurance and quiet operation.
Rapid Delivery and Interim Solution
Hanwha Ocean has declared its ability to deliver the first submarine within six years of contract signing, and all three vessels within eight years.
To ensure continuity of the Polish Navy’s capabilities, the company is also prepared to offer an interim solution – including the use of transitional platforms and crew training in cooperation with the South Korean Navy.
Interoperability: Bridging NATO and the Indo-Pacific
Poland’s acquisition of the KSS-III would enhance interoperability within NATO and deepen security cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. A shared platform with the South Korean Navy would provide access to joint training, coordinated operations management, and doctrine updates.
“This is not just about strengthening capability. It’s a qualitative leap that positions Poland as a key pillar of NATO’s maritime power,” concluded Vice President Jeong. “At the same time, it enables diversification of the Alliance’s undersea warfare capabilities.”
Support from the South Korean Government
A day earlier, on June 26, Hanwha Ocean and representatives of the South Korean government took part in the 10th Maritime Security Forum held in Warsaw, where they presented the key advantages of the KSS-III submarine.
Sang-woo Lee, Director General of the Submarine Program at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) under the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, emphasized the importance of Polish-Korean defense cooperation, the government’s commitment to sharing know-how and providing operational support, as well as the cutting-edge technology of the solutions offered to Poland – which are extensively operated by the South Korean Navy (Another Meeting at the Polish Ministry of National Defence with a Delegation from South Korea’s DAPA).
Press release
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