The vessel’s first Sea Acceptance Trials (SAT) took place at the beginning of March this year. These trials represent a comprehensive and critical test, evaluating the performance of all onboard systems under real operational conditions. The next stage will involve Delivery-Acceptance Trials (PZO) prior to formal handover to the commissioning authority.

The future ORP Jaskółka has been under construction since 28 March 2023. Alongside its sister ships, Rybitwa and Czajka, it will form part of the 12th Minehunter Division of the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla, based at the Świnoujście Naval Base. As of now, all vessels have been launched and are undergoing outfitting, with all expected to enter service by the end of 2027.

The main contractor for these ships, ordered in March 2022, is Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdańsk. Construction is being carried out within a consortium including PGZ Stocznia Wojenna Sp. z o.o. and the Maritime Technology Research and Development Centre (OBR CTM S.A.). The project was designed by Remontowa Marine Design & Consulting Sp. z o.o., part of the Remontowa Holding group, under the supervision of the classification society Polski Rejestr Statków S.A., and with the support of a broad domestic network of subcontractors and suppliers.

Between 2017 and 2023, three other vessels of this class were delivered to the Polish Navy. ORP Kormoran (601), ORP Albatros (602), and ORP Mewa (603) form part of the 13th Minehunter Division of the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla, based at the Gdynia Naval Base. They regularly participate in national and international exercises, as well as mine-countermeasure operations and monitoring of critical underwater infrastructure.

Project 258 minehunters are 58.5 metres in length, with a full displacement of 900 tonnes. Their hulls are constructed from non-magnetic austenitic steel, designed to minimise radar, acoustic, and thermal signatures (SPO) while maintaining strength, fire safety, and compensating for increased mass.

Propulsion is provided by two Voith-Schneider cycloidal thrusters, powered by two MTU 8V369TE74L diesel engines delivering 1,000 kW each, giving a nominal speed of approximately 15 knots and a range of up to 2,500 km. Thanks to a dynamic positioning system, the vessel does not require an anchor and can maintain position and rotate with precision.

Key equipment includes a triple-frequency mine detection system SHL-101/TM, high-resolution side-scan sonar HISAS 1032, a sub-bottom profiler, and the Mk11 SharpEye navigation radar.

Armament comprises the OSU-35K 35 mm naval weapon system and machine guns. Highlighting the ship’s operational capabilities are its unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) Gavia and Hugin, and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) such as the Saab Double Eagle Mk III deepwater vehicle and the Kraken KATFISH 180 side-scan sonar system.