(ANSA-AFP) - WARSAW, JUN 29 - Poland on Monday signed a $4.8-billion contract with Sweden to purchase three Saab submarines intended to strengthen its defence capabilities in the face of a growing Russian threat. "Poland is acquiring three A-26 type, fifth-generation submarines, the most modern ones," Polish defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said following the signing ceremony in the Polish Baltic port city of Gdynia. He added that the submarines Poland is set to obtain are "designed to operate in the Baltic Sea, capable of putting their capabilities at the service of both the navy and special forces". The contract -- signed by Prime Ministers Donald Tusk and Ulf Kristersson -- includes an armaments package as well as a training and support programme, worth roughly 47 billion Swedish kronor ($4.8 billion), the Saab group specified in a press release. The first submarine delivery is planned for 2031, and the last one is set to arrive in 2038. (ANSA-AFP).