Building a shared future of Sweden and Poland in trade and defence

Poland and Sweden are becoming even closer allies in trade and defence. This is also underlined by Poland’s choice of Sweden as a partner to build up its submarine capability. It creates new possibilities for and between our countries. The Polish Ambassador Mrs. Karolina Ostrzyniewska gives us her view on our shared opportunities.

What is most important to work on right now, to build the shared future of Sweden and Poland in trade and defence?

“The Baltic Sea region remains the most exposed to long-term threats from Russia. This was a fundamental assumption of the Renewed Strategic Partnership between Poland and Sweden, signed by our Prime Ministers in Harpsund in 2024 and it has not changed since then”, says the Ambassador, and continues: Given the identical assessment of security threats, Poland and Sweden are convinced and determined, as NATO and EU Members, to take leading roles in strengthening cooperation to enhance security in the Baltic Sea region. We have been working bilaterally, as well as within the wider Nordic-Baltic framework”.

“Our Prime Ministers reaffirmed in February 2026 that strong cooperation between Sweden and Poland is key to Baltic security and we will deepen it even further to stand up against threats we face. Two concrete examples: the “Gotland Sentry” last September, which involved Polish and Swedish soldiers in a first bilateral exercise of this kind and Gripens’ Air Policing mission in Poland”.

Can more collaborations be developed thanks to the submarine deal? Any ideas of what they might be?

Ambassador Mrs. Karolina Ostrzyniewska explains that Sweden and its defence industry have already been an important partner in the modernisation of the Polish Armed Forces. Examples include the procurement of Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launchers, Saab 340 AEW early warning aircraft, and the DELFIN electronic intelligence vessels.

“In January 2026, the Swedish Armed Forces received their first Piorun man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), developed by the Polish company Mesko. This demonstrates clear potential to further involve Polish defence companies in the production of equipment for the Swedish Armed Forces, which we are determined to implement further”.

“Undoubtedly, the ORKA programme, which represents the most ambitious modernisation of Poland’s navy since the Cold War, opens additional strategic opportunities, which we want to fully leverage. From our side, we are ready to welcome Swedish industrial investments in Poland, particularly in the Polish shipyards, to enhance their capacity to maintain, repair, and service submarines and their dedicated armaments”.

In 2026, Poland will allocate 4.8% of its GDP to defence, which is the highest share among NATO members. This creates a strong foundation for deeper partnerships and industrial collaboration between our defence sectors, including through technology transfer and innovation partnerships extending beyond the maritime domain.

“The submarine programme offers a timely and powerful catalyst for taking this cooperation to the next level, and both Poland and Sweden are determined to build on this momentum to, as our PM put it, “protect out common security interest, above and under the water”, the Ambassador underlines.

What does the potential look like for Swedish companies in Poland? Both trade and defence?

“Polish - Swedish bilateral relations are as vibrant as ever. Sweden is not only a trusted partner and ally, but also a key trading partner and investor. Since Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004, bilateral trade has increased by nearly 400 percent, rising from EUR 4.2 billion to EUR 20.6 billion by 2023, across both goods and services”, says the Ambassador citing data provided by the Scandinavian and Polish Chamber of Commerce.

Today, more than 700 companies of Swedish origin operate in Poland, with total investments amounting to EUR 5.5 billion. Swedish firms rank among the leading foreign investors in Poland in terms of research and development spending, surpassed only by companies from Germany, France, and the United States.

At the same time, Polish businesses are expanding more boldly into the Swedish market. This was a takeaway from the high-level business summit held in Sweden in November 2025, which focused on a few prospective areas such as energy transition, sustainable infrastructure, digitalisation, and defence. Preparations are already underway for the 2026 edition of the summit, which will be hosted in Poland.

Finally, the State Visit to Poland by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden at the invitation of His Excellency President Karol Nawrocki this month provided an important opportunity for a strong Swedish business delegation to explore further investment and cooperation opportunities in Poland, including in the defence sector.