Out of our ambitions and responsibilities, present the programme "The Sword", or frigate "The Storm", formerly "The Wind", and in a minute "The Hurricane". These 3 frigates will be implemented for deterrence and defence," said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish at the PGZ War Shipyard in Gdynia today. The head of the MON took part in the ceremony of burning sheets for the future ship “Burza”.
The first sheet burning is simply a symbolic event, marking the beginning of the construction of a fresh ship in the shipbuilding hall. 5 May on site PGZ War Shipyard in Gdynia Deputy Prime Minister, National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz participated in specified a ceremony devoted to the construction of a second frigate from the “Meaner” programme, i.e. the future storm ORP. In addition to the head of the MON, Marcin Ryngwelski, president of the PGZ War Shipyard in Gdynia, Arkadiusz Bąk, p.o. president of the Polish Armed Forces Group, general of arms Dariusz Łukowski, head of the National safety Bureau, and defection of Jarosław Ziemański, naval inspector at the General Command of Armed Forces.
“The Baltic Sea is crucial, so we are building the possible of deterrence with our actions and we will do it successively,” said Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish, and added that this year will be a breakthrough in terms of investment in naval projects. – Not only due to the cutting of sheets for another frigate in the program “The Sword”, not only due to the fact that it arises ORP ‘The lifeguard” but this year we will decide “Orca” programme. After almost 30 years of expectations, we will sign a strategical agreement to acquisition and build submarines for the Polish Navy. This is not a business decision, it is simply a patriotic decision," stated the head of the MON.
General Łukowski pointed out that the construction of fresh ships is 1 thing, but the key strategical task relates to building the autonomy and ability of the Navy to keep these units in the sea. “It is essential to build the capacity to maintain, service, supply the means of combat here, in Poland,” stressed the Head of BBN and added that the money that will be spent on this will greatly exceed the funds allocated to the construction of ships. Therefore, as he stated, it is crucial that this money should go to the Polish industry, to the Polish economy as far as possible.
– The “Mienik” programme is 1 of the largest and most complex projects carried out by national arms forces, with the support of abroad partners and crucial engagement at military and government level. Thanks to the implementation of this most crucial task for the Polish shipbuilding industry, we gain a number of technologies, infrastructure and cognition and competences, which will let us to build further ships for the Polish Navy and allied formations," said Jan Grabowski, associate of the board of PGZ SA.
Both the Minister of National Defence and the president of the PGZ of the War Shipyard ensured that the financing of the construction of all 3 frigates from the “Meaner” programme was not threatened. – Everything needed to build, drive, steel, etc., War Shipyard and PGZ buy for 3 units immediately. Everything is planned so that there are no delays in implementation. It is not possible to run out of backing for the construction of any of the frigates – said president Ryngwelski.
The “Meaner” programme is the consequence of the partnership between Poland and the UK. The frigates “The Sword” are based on the plan of the Arrowhead 140 ship by Babcock International. This plan was adapted to Navy requirements and equipped with many state-of-the-art weapons systems. Among them is simply a multi-layered defence strategy manufactured by MBDA against Sea Ceptor air assault measures, which allows for simultaneous action in the field of combating submarines and submarines and neutralising threats from the air. The frigates of the Sword will increase the military possible of the Polish Armed Forces, but will besides make an crucial contribution to our country's defence system. In addition to the collective defence of the Baltic Sea, frigates can support humanitarian missions and enforcement activities at sea, combating maritime piracy and illegal immigration.
First ship in the series, future ORP ‘Wicher’, is presently in the process of building further sections. According to the schedule, the unit will be ready to launch in the second half of 2026 and its transfer to service is scheduled for 2029. The conclusion of the programme, i.e. the transportation of the 3rd unit to the Navy, which will be called ‘Hurgan’, was planned by the end of 2031.
