Image source: topwar.ru
Poland laid down the first frigate of the 106 Miecznik project for the Polish Navy, the ceremony was held on January 31, 2024 at the PGZ shipyard (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa) in Gdynia. Steel cutting for the frigate began in August last year. This is reported by the Polish press.
Contract for the construction of three multipurpose frigates under the Miecznik program ("Swordsman") The Polish Ministry of Defense and the PGZ-Miecznik consortium signed on July 27, 2021. A consortium was created for the construction of the ships, which included the PGZ Stocznia Wojenna shipyard, as well as the Gdansk private shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding SA.
The first frigate laid down was named Wicher, which means "Whirlwind" in Polish. The second and third will be named Burza ("Storm") and Huragan ("Hurricane"). Wicher is planned to be launched in the third quarter of 2026, and transferred to the fleet in 2029. Burza will be laid down in the fourth quarter of 2025, launched in the fall of 2027 and handed over to the fleet in 2030. Huragan will be laid down at the end of 2026, launched in the third quarter of 2028 and handed over to the customer by 2032.
Image source: topwar.ru
Miecznik will have a total displacement of 7000 tons. The crew will be 100-120 sailors (maximum capacity – 160 people). The power plant will consist of four diesel engines. It will provide a maximum speed of approximately 28 knots and a travel distance of 8 thousand nautical miles at a speed of 18 knots. The time spent on the hike is limited to 30 days.
The combat control system for the frigate has not yet been selected, most likely it will be TACTICOS from Thales. The ship will receive a 76-mm artillery mount, a Mk.41 vertical launch unit for 32 cells, a Sea Ceptor air defense system, the rest of the armament has not yet been fully determined.
