Shipbuilder PGZ Stocznia Wojenna has begun construction work on the Burza, the second of three frigates for the Polish Navy planned under the Miecznik programme.
As per a company press statement, the commencement of work on the Burza which translates as Storm was marked at PGZ’s Gdynia shipyard earlier this month at a ceremony attended by dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense W?adys?aw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
President of PGZ Stocznia Wojenna’s Management Board Marcin Ryngwelski commented: Today’s ceremony of burning sheet metal for the future frigate Burza is another important step in the implementation of the largest ship program in the history of the Polish Navy.
PGZ Stocznia Wojenna is adequately prepared for this challenge we have modernized the infrastructure and are systematically developing the competences of our crew.
The multipurpose Miecznik or Swordfish class of frigates will be roughly 138 metres long, about 20 metres wide and have a maximum displacement of about 7,000 tons. The ships will be capable of reaching 28 knots, have a range of about 8,000 nautical miles, and a core crew of about 120.
They are based on Babcock International’s Arrowhead 140 design originally developed from the Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt frigate. Other frigates sharing the same base platform include the U.K.’s Type 31 general purpose frigates and the Indonesian Navy’s Red White frigate.
The first Polish Navy vessel, the future ORP Wicher, is currently under construction and is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2026; her commissioning is anticipated during 2029. All three frigates in the programme are due to be completed by the end of 2031.
The total value of the Miecznik programme has been estimated at roughly PLN 8bn (approximately £1.6bn), making it the largest contract in the history of the Polish defence industry.
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You can read more details on the PGZ website
