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.

business maritime economy investments navy pomerania shipbuilding industry defense industry tricity news

05 september 2025   |   09:33   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. PGZ Stocznia Wojenna

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.

Buy us a coffee, and we’ll invest in great maritime journalism! Support Gazeta Morska and help us sail forward – click here!

marynarka wojenna fregata ORP Wicher program Miecznik modernizacja floty pgz stocznia wojenna

comments

---

enter content

COMMENT

nick

Add the first comment