In the morning of August 13th, an exceptional moment for Poland’s shipbuilding industry and maritime armed forces could be observed in the Port of Gdynia. The Miecznik programme multi-purpose frigate Wicher, christened on 12 August, was launched into the waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk using a semi-submersible barge. The future Polish Navy vessel will now undergo further fitting-out work, followed by shipyard and sea trials. It is due to enter service in 2029.

At dawn, the Boabarge 33, owned by Norwegian shipowner BOA Offshore, left the entrance to the Port of Gdynia, with the frigate’s hull having been on board for several days. The event was observed by journalists who were on board ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko. The vessel also headed out into the bay, allowing those observing to follow the operation from as close as possible.

The entire launching process was complex and involved moving out into the waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk. Once in position there, the barge was deliberately submerged by filling its ballast tanks. The barge’s deck gradually descended below the water’s surface, along with the frigate’s hull. The entire process continued until the vessel’s own displacement took over its weight. Finally, before noon, the future ORP Wicher found itself in the water for the first time and is now maintaining itself on the surface independently.

After being launched, the hull was towed back to PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and to the quay. Further work is planned to fit the vessel with onboard systems, as well as to install its armament. In the meantime, shipyard and sea trials will also be carried out. At the same time, intensive training of the frigate’s future crew is under way, with members of the crew also present during the work at the Gdynia shipyard.

The plan is for the future ORP Wicher to be handed over to the customer by the end of 2029. It will become part of the 3rd Flotilla of Ships’ Combat Ship Squadron, stationed at the Gdynia Naval Port.

Construction is also currently under way on two sister vessels of the “Miecznik” programme, the future ORP Burza and ORP Huragan. Now that Wicher has left the hull construction hall, it can be expected that the blocks of the second frigate in the sequence will be brought into the hall in the near future. Work on assembly and fitting-out will also continue there, maintaining the continuity of shipyard operations. All the vessels are scheduled to enter service by 2032.

It should be recalled that the christening ceremony of the future ORP Wicher took place the previous day. Agata Ziemiańska, wife of Vice Admiral Jarosław Ziemiański, Inspector of the Navy, became the ship’s godmother. Many invited guests took part in the event, including the country’s most senior officials, Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The project is being carried out by the PGZ-Miecznik Consortium, comprising Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. and PGZ Stocznia Wojenna sp. z o.o. The strategic foreign partners in the programme are Babcock, Thales UK and MBDA UK.

Photos: GospodarkaMorska.pl