The Polish defense ministry has signed agreements with a local consortium for the development of “made-in-Poland” frigates that will boost its navy’s capabilities in the Baltic Sea.
The ships are to be built by the PGZ-Miecznik consortium under what the defense ministry said was the largest ever order for the domestic defense industry.
“I am glad that shortly after ordering the Abrams tanks for the army, we can sign a contract for three ships for the Polish Navy. These ships will be manufactured in Poland by the consortium,” Polish defense minister Mariusz Błaszczak said during the agreement signing ceremony in Gdynia on July 27.
The frigate acquisition program is locally known as “Miecznik” (Swordfish) and represents one of the projects of the country’s “Technical Modernization Plan 2021-35.” The Polish Navy’s plan to acquire new coastal defense vessels as part of the urgently needed revitalization of its fleet has suffered several setback since it was announced for the first time in 2012.
As laid out in the agreement, the consortium is expected to work out three concept designs by the end of November. The defense ministry then expects to select the best of the three concepts a few months later. The ultimate goal is to have the first of three ships launched in four years.
“It is possible, ladies and gentlemen. It is an ambitious goal, but possible to achieve,” minister Błaszczak said.
The PGZ-Miecznik consortium which will be responsible for the delivery of the frigate consists of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA, PGZ Stocznia Wojenna Sp. Z oo and Remontowa Shipbuilding SA.
According to the defense ministry, the new frigates will carry out a wide range of tasks in Polish territories and cooperate with allies as part of joint missions, operations and exercises.
