A "first metal cutting" ceremony was held on Monday at the naval shipyard in Gdynia, marking the symbolic start of construction on the new ship, ORP Burza.
The vessel is part of a programme that aims to deliver three state-of-the-art frigates to replace the Polish navy’s ageing fleet.
The ships will serve as the backbone of Poland’s naval defence capabilities in the Baltic Sea.
The first frigate, ORP Wicher, is already under construction and is scheduled to enter service in 2028.
The ORP Burza is planned for 2030, with the third, ORP Huragan, to follow by 2032.
Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who attended the ceremony alongside other top officials, emphasised the strategic importance of the Baltic Sea for Poland and NATO.
"The Baltic is crucial to our security," he said. "With these actions, we are building our deterrence potential. A strong navy is not a luxury. It is a necessity, a priority, and our obligation."
Kosiniak-Kamysz pointed to growing tensions in the region and underscored the importance of a credible deterrence strategy.
He cited Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s recent proposal for a NATO-led Baltic Sentry initiative, which aims to strengthen the collective defence posture of both regional and allied states, including contributions from Belgium and France.
“In recent weeks, I ordered additional aircraft and helicopters to patrol the Baltic skies,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. "We need the best, most modern equipment, like the new Miecznik-class frigates, to ensure our security.”
The new Polish Miecznik-class frigates are based on the British-designed Arrowhead 140 platform, adapted to meet the specific requirements of the Polish armed forces.
The project is led by a dedicated consortium, PGZ Miecznik, operating under the umbrella of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), in collaboration with international partners including the UK-based defence company Babcock.
Each vessel will be equipped with advanced air defence systems, including CAMM and CAMM-ER missiles, capable of intercepting airborne threats.
They will also feature 40 km-range naval artillery and anti-ship missiles with a strike range exceeding 200 km.
The ships, over 140 metres long, will be tasked with securing maritime trade routes, protecting offshore energy infrastructure, and participating in NATO’s Standing Naval Forces.
Originally valued at around PLN 8 billion (EUR 1.8 billion), the Miecznik (Swordfish) programme's cost rose to around PLN 15 billion (EUR 3.5 billion) following contract amendments in 2023.
Poland's current fleet includes two ageing Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigates – ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko and ORP Gen. K. Pułaski.
These were originally built for the US Navy in the 1980s and transferred to Poland in the early 2000s.
The new frigates will mark a generational leap in capability, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP