Hull of Poland’s First Miecznik-Class Frigate ORP Wicher Launched
The hull of the future ORP Wicher, the first of three frigates being built for the Polish Navy under the Miecznik programme, has been successfully launched into the waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk.
At around noon on Thursday, the more than 140-metre-long hull achieved full buoyancy after being lowered into the water from a specialised semi-submersible barge. The operation marked the final stage of a complex engineering process and concluded several days of events surrounding the naming and launch of Poland’s newest frigate.
The transfer and controlled launching of the hull using the semi-submersible BOA Barge 33 was one of the most demanding operations carried out by the Polish shipbuilding industry in recent years.
The launching followed Wednesday’s official naming ceremony in Gdynia, attended by Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and representatives of the Polish Navy. The series of events began on Sunday, when the hull was partially moved out of the production hall and illuminated for a special public presentation.
⚓ PŁYNIE! NA TO CZEKALIŚCIE: WICHER NA WODZIE!
To był ten moment! Pierwsza fregata programu #Miecznik po raz pierwszy samodzielnie uniosła się na wodach Zatoki Gdańskiej.
Po precyzyjnej operacji zanurzania półzanurzalnej barki BOA Barge 33 Wicher uzyskał pełną pływalność… pic.twitter.com/A5MRnBUtZ9
— Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (@PGZ_pl) August 13, 2026
Poland’s largest naval modernisation programme
The Miecznik programme is currently the largest modernisation project being carried out for the Polish Navy. It involves the construction of three modern multi-role frigates that are expected to become the backbone of Poland’s surface fleet and eventually replace the ageing Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates.
ORP Wicher is the first of the three vessels. She will be followed by ORP Burza and ORP Huragan. Construction of the third frigate began in April 2026, while completion of the entire programme is scheduled for the end of 2031.
The new ships are based on the British Arrowhead 140 frigate design, which has been adapted to meet the operational requirements of the Polish Armed Forces.
The programme is being implemented by the PGZ-Miecznik consortium with the participation of international partners, most notably the UK-based Babcock, which owns the Arrowhead 140 design.
Air defence and anti-ship capabilities
One of the primary missions of the Miecznik-class frigates will be air defence. The vessels will be equipped with launchers for British CAMM and CAMM-ER surface-to-air missiles.
Their armament will also include naval guns capable of engaging targets at distances of up to approximately 40 kilometres, as well as anti-ship missiles with a range exceeding 200 kilometres.
Measuring more than 140 metres in length, the frigates will be capable of carrying out a broad range of missions. Among their key responsibilities will be protecting shipping routes and critical energy infrastructure, as well as participating in NATO Standing Naval Forces and other allied operations.
A PLN 15 billion programme
The contract for the construction of the three frigates was signed in 2021 between Poland’s Armament Agency and the PGZ-Miecznik consortium.
Its original value was approximately PLN 8 billion. Following subsequent amendments to the agreement, the value of the programme increased to around PLN 15 billion by the end of 2023.
The Miecznik frigates will represent a major generational change for the Polish Navy. At present, the core of Poland’s frigate force consists of two former US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class vessels – ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko and ORP Gen. K. Pułaski.
Both ships originally entered service with the US Navy in 1980 and were transferred to Poland at the beginning of the 21st century.
The successful launch of ORP Wicher’s hull marks another major milestone in the Miecznik programme and brings the Polish Navy closer to introducing a new generation of large, modern surface combatants.
Photos: PGZ / PGZ Stocznia Wojenna / 3FO
