The Miecznik program is currently the largest modernization program of the Polish Navy. Its purpose is to build three modern multi -purpose frigates, which will become the basic combat strength of the Polish fleet, replacing outdated Oliver Hazard Perry ships.
The construction of the first swordfish, the future ORP “Wicher”, which is to enter service in 2028 is currently underway. PGZ vice president responsible, among others, for maritime issues Jan Grabowski said on Thursday during a conference at the MSPO Defense Fair that the construction of “Wichra” is already at an advanced stage, and its launching was scheduled for August next year. The ship is then to flow immediately into the waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk, unlike smaller units, which are usually laid in a fitting pool.
Grabowski also announced that in December this year there will be a solemn location of the keel under the second frigate from the Miecznik program – ORP “Burza”. This is another after the symbolic so -called Smoking of sheet metal, starting the actual construction of the ship. According to the plan, this ship has to enter service in 2030. The third frigate – ORP “Hurricane” – is to enter service at the turn of 2031 and 2032.
Mieczniki ships are modern multi -purpose frigates, whose construction is based on the British Arrowhead 140 project, adapted to the requirements indicated by the Polish army. The project is involved – apart from the PGZ PGZ Miecznik – foreign partners, including British Babcock, who is the owner of the ship's project, appointed under the auspices of PGZ.
One of the main tasks of the frigate will be anti -aircraft defense; They will be, among others Equipped with Camm and CAMM-ER British anti-aircraft missiles as well as cannons with a range of up to 40 km and anti-ship missiles capable of distinguishing goals above 200 km.
The ships measuring over 140 m have, among others Protect the shipping routes and energy infrastructure, as well as fulfill tasks within NATO permanent teams. The agreement for the construction of the frigates was signed between the Armament Agency and the PGZ Consortium, Miecznik in 2021. The value of the contract was initially about PLN 8 billion, but as a result of the annexes concluded, it increased at the end of 2023 to approx. PLN 15 billion.
Currently, the core of the Polish fleet are two rocket frigates like Oliver Hazard Perry – ORP “Gen. T. Kościuszko” and ORP “Gen. K. Pułaski”, which entered service in the US fleet in 1980, and at the beginning of the 21st century were handed over to the Polish Navy.
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The PGZ War Shipyard also implements a project to build a rescue ship for the Navy, under the name “Lifeguard”. The contract for the construction of this unit was signed in December last year; As the president of the war shipyard Marcin Ryngwelski announced on Thursday, “smoking sheet metal” for the rescue ship is scheduled for the day before the Navy holiday, which falls on November 28.
In addition to the construction of swords and other ships, PGZ also develops other programs related to the sea domain. These are The “Digital Baltic” program, developed by the PGZ Maritime Technology Center. The program assumes the construction of a communication and communication system that allows you to monitor the sea on a regular basis and, for example, inform about emerging threats.
