The Polish Ministry of National Defence has revealed the beginning of construction on the Navy’s second Miecznik-class frigate, ORP Storm, at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (PGZ SW) in Gdynia.
The start of the construction process was marked by the traditional sheet metal burning.
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The first frigate, ORP Wicher, is already under construction at PGZ SW.
Being developed by the PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium, the Miecznik-class frigates will enhance the operational capacity of the Polish Navy.
The warships’ missions include maritime surveillance, naval base protection, surface and subsurface combat, coastal zone defence and maritime air defence.
Polish Ministry of National Defence head Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated: “The Prime Minister, a few months ago – in Stockholm, later in Helsinki – presented the plan of the Baltic Guard, the Baltic Warta, the Baltic Sentry – Nato operation, which aims to strengthen the potential of the countries located on the Baltic Sea, but also our allies, for example from Belgium and France, who dedicate their units to operate on the Baltic Sea in order to deter [aggression].
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By GlobalData“More and more often there are incidents. We study our vigilance, efficiency. Interrupted cables under the Baltic Sea, violation of critical infrastructure or airspace cause Poland to respond to it.
“We are strengthening the potential for deterrence and defence – and we will do so successively. We need the best modern equipment – such as in the Miecznik programme, like the next frigate, which is being built in the best shipyard.”
In 2024, Babcock extended its contract with PGZ to support the construction of the Miecznik frigates until the completion of the third and final vessel.
In October 2023, Thales secured an agreement with PGZ to supply the TACTICOS integrated combat management system (CMS), along with sonars, air-surveillance and fire-control radars, and a comprehensive infrared sensor for the Miecznik frigate initiative.
The vessels will be 138m long, 20m wide, and 10m high and will have a displacement of 7,000 tonnes.
Capable of accommodating between 100 and 120 personnel, the vessels have an operational endurance of 30 days at sea without replenishment. They can achieve a maximum speed of 28 knots and will have a range of 8,000 nautical miles.
