17 August 2023

Steel cut for first Polish Miecznik-class frigate

by Kate Tringham

A computer-generated image of the final configuration of the Polish Navy's first Miecznik frigate. (PGZ)

A steel-cutting ceremony was held for the first Polish Project 106 Miecznik (Swordfish)-class frigate at the Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa: PGZ) Naval Shipyard in Gdynia, Poland, on 16 August.

Under the Miecznik programme, which is valued at around PLN8 billion (USD1.95 billion), PGZ Naval Shipyard is building three frigates for the Polish Navy in co-operation with strategic partners Babcock (as the platform design provider and technology partner), Remontowa Shipbuilding, MBDA, and Thales.

Babcock's Arrowhead 140 design was selected in 2022 to form the basis of Poland's Miecznik-class frigate. The Arrowhead 140 design is derived from the Iver Huitfeldt-class platform already in service with the Royal Danish Navy and also forms the basis of the UK Royal Navy Type 31 general-purpose frigate programme.

In a 16 August announcement PGZ said the programme was being implemented on schedule. Under current planning, the keel for the lead frigate, which will be named ORP Burza, will be laid down in early 2024, launched in the third quarter of 2026, and commissioned following sea trials and qualification tests from 2028 to 2030.

The keel for the second vessel, Wicher , will be laid down in late 2025, which will be followed by its launch in 2027 and commissioning in 2030. The keel for the third ship, Huragan, will be laid down in late 2026, launched in 2028, and commissioned in 2031.

Under details revealed by PGZ in July, the first ship will receive the complete integrated combat system, while the second and third platforms will be ‘fitted for' but not ‘with'.

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