The Naval Evolution of Research & Design Symposium (NERDS) will be held at the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park in Gdynia (Pomorski Park Naukowo-Techniczny). This first Polish–Swedish symposium dedicated to naval ship design will bring together, on 12 May, representatives of numerous state and ministerial institutions, as well as academia and the maritime industry, to discuss both the background and future prospects of naval design.

The discussion will focus on the “Delfin” programme, i.e. the procurement of two signals intelligence (SIGINT) vessels for the Polish Navy. It will also serve as a starting point for a broader exchange on the ship design process using modern technologies – from early-stage concept development and system requirements definition to the application of advanced digital design tools and collaborative review processes.

The event will gather representatives of government, armed forces, industry, academia, and maritime technology centres to address the most pressing challenges in designing and constructing next-generation surface naval platforms. A key role will be played by experts from Saab and the Polish design office MMC Ship Design, who will present insights into the ship design process. Both entities are involved in the “Delfin” programme and, by sharing key conclusions from its design phase, will also discuss new forms of Polish–Swedish cooperation that could enhance the capacity and innovation of future European naval programmes.

At present, both future vessels for the Polish Navy, named ORP Jerzy Różycki and ORP Henryk Zygalski, have already been christened and launched. Their delivery is scheduled for after 2027. They will form part of the Reconnaissance Ships Group of the 3rd Ship Flotilla. The vessels are being built at the Gdańsk-based shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A.

This project does not mark the end of cooperation between the Polish and Swedish maritime industries. It is worth recalling that, in late November last year, the Ministry of National Defence announced that, from among six offers for submarines under the “Orka” programme, it had selected the Swedish A26 (Blekinge-class) design. Two such submarines are currently under construction for Sweden at Saab Kockums in Karlskrona. Both the Polish and Swedish navies are seeking to expand and strengthen their capabilities, and events of this kind aim to provide a platform for discussion on naval cooperation and the implementation of joint defence projects.

More details available on symposium's website: https://nerdsnavaldesign.pl/en/