PGZ confirms launch of first Miecznik frigate: ORP Wicher to hit the water in 2026
Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) has confirmed that the first frigate of the Miecznik programme, the future ORP Wicher, will be launched in August 2026. The announcement was made by Jan Grabowski, Vice President of PGZ responsible for naval projects, during the MSPO defence exhibition in Kielce.
In brief
The first frigate of the Miecznik programme, ORP Wicher, will be launched in August 2026 in the waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk, PGZ vice president for maritime affairs Jan Grabowski announced during the MSPO trade fair in Kielce. The keel of the second vessel, ORP Burza, will be laid in December 2025, while the third frigate, ORP Huragan, is planned for the turn of 2031 and 2032. The ships, more than 140 metres long, are based on Babcock's Arrowhead 140 design, and the value of the 2021 contract has risen from PLN 8 billion to around PLN 15 billion.
Construction of the Wicher is already at an advanced stage. Once launched, the vessel will proceed directly into the waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk, unlike smaller ships which are typically floated out in dock basins. According to current plans, Wicher will enter operational service with the Polish Navy in 2028.
The second frigate, ORP Burza, will see its keel-laying ceremony in December 2025, with service entry scheduled for 2030. The third vessel, ORP Huragan, is expected to join the fleet around 2031/2032.
Based on Arrowhead 140
The Miecznik frigates are based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, adapted to Polish Navy requirements. Measuring over 140 metres, the ships will provide advanced air-defence capabilities, fitted with CAMM and CAMM-ER missile systems, 40 km-range naval guns, and anti-ship missiles with ranges beyond 200 km.
Their mission set will include air defence, escort of shipping lanes, protection of energy infrastructure, and participation in NATO’s Standing Naval Forces.
Poland’s largest naval modernisation programme
The Miecznik contract was signed in 2021 between the Armaments Agency and the PGZ Miecznik consortium. Originally valued at approximately PLN 8 billion, the contract grew to around PLN 15 billion after amendments concluded in late 2023.
At present, the backbone of the Polish surface fleet remains two Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko and ORP Gen. K. Pułaski, transferred from the US Navy in the early 2000s.
Parallel naval projects
Alongside Miecznik, PGZ’s Naval Shipyard is also working on the rescue vessel „Ratownik”, with steel-cutting scheduled for November 2025. Additionally, PGZ’s Centre for Maritime Technology is developing the Digital Baltic programme, a real-time maritime situational awareness and communication system.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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