The recent keel-laying ceremony for the future ORP Burza provided an opportunity to review the largest and most important Polish naval program: the construction of multi-role frigates under the “Miecznik” program. In the hull hall of PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (PGZ Naval Shipyard), all sections of the first ship’s hull, the future ORP Wicher, were already on display. This ship is scheduled to be launched in August 2026. In connection with this milestone, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa also released a video showing the frigate in all its glory.

Wicher is the first of three frigates that will join the 3rd Flotilla’s Combat Ship Squadron between 2029 and 2031. Its construction began in August 2023, and the keel was laid in January 2024. We recently reported on the transport of the bow section of the future ship from the CRIST shipyard to PGZ Stocznia Wojenna via the waters of the Gdańsk Bay. The section has been installed in the hull hall alongside the other sections. There, the sections will be joined together, painted, and equipped, with the ship expected to be afloat in the second half of 2026. The launch will be carried out using a floating dock, which was moved to the shipyard quay in April of this year.

In 2026, cutting of steel and keel-laying is also planned for the third unit in the series, which will be named Huragan. Like Burza, it will be launched between 2027 and 2028. The project has also involved significant modernization of the shipyard infrastructure, symbolized by the country’s tallest hull hall, measuring 154 meters in length, 34 meters in width, and 46 meters in height, including the ventilation system mounted on the roof. The cranes in the hall can lift up to 100 tons, and the built-up area covers nearly 6,000 m².

The Miecznik-class frigates will be 138.7 meters long, with a maximum displacement of 7,000 tons. Maximum speed will reach 26 knots, with a cruising speed of 12 knots, and a range of 8,000 nautical miles. The crew will consist of 187 personnel. Propulsion will be provided by four MTU 20V8000M71 diesel engines in a CODAD (Combined Diesel and Diesel) configuration from Rolls Royce, with some engines operating at lower economic speeds and the rest engaged when higher speed or heavier load is required.

The ships will be equipped with an integrated mission system from Thales, including an integrated bridge, communications system, platform management system, and combat management system. The full combat management system, sensors, and effectors will cover anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, surface-to-surface and surface-to-land missile systems, and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare. The ships will feature medium- and long-range multifunction radars, fire-control radar, imaging reconnaissance systems, as well as hull-mounted and towed sonars. They will also be equipped with electronic warfare systems.

The planned anti-aircraft systems will include VLS Mk41 vertical launchers with CAMM family missiles and NSM missiles. Weapon ranges are expected to be 40 km for air defense, up to 100 km for surface-to-surface missiles, and up to 200 km for anti-ship missiles. Each subsystem is designed for defensive and offensive operations, including striking designated targets. The platform is designed to accommodate all planned systems.

For surface and land targets, the frigates will carry RBS15 missile launchers. Artillery will include a 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid Straus gun, two 35 mm OSU-35K guns, remote-controlled weapon modules with multi-caliber machine guns, and manually operated machine guns. Torpedo armament will include two torpedo launchers.

The Miecznik program strengthens not only the Polish Navy but also the shipbuilding industry. Investments include the hull hall, quay redevelopment, storage yards, internal roads, and modernization of technical infrastructure. The project is executed by a consortium of NDI S.A., NDI SOPOT S.A., and Pekabex BET, which are responsible for both new constructions and upgrading existing facilities. A production hall nearly 5,000 m² in size has been built to house all shipyard outfitting departments, accompanied by a four-story office building. A modern warehouse with road infrastructure is also part of the complex, designed to store components needed for three multi-role frigates. The warehouse includes a high-bay section and a concessioned area for sensitive materials, equipped with an advanced sprinkler system for the highest fire protection standards.

The contract with the Armament Inspectorate was signed on July 27, 2021. The project is managed by the PGZ-Miecznik Consortium, consisting of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. and PGZ Stocznia Wojenna sp. z o.o., with strategic foreign partners including Babcock, Thales UK, and MBDA UK. Some hull blocks are being built at the CRIST shipyard in Gdynia, where construction started in August this year.