International defense company Babcock and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to expand collaboration across sea and air domains.
The agreement, signed during the defence industry exhibition MSPO in Kielce, Poland, will lead to enhanced cooperation to develop new defense systems and solutions.
“The UK and Poland have longstanding close ties, and this growing industrial partnership with PGZ SA will deepen our relationship and accelerate our support for the Polish armed forces, alongside our joint global ambitions across air and marine domains,” David Lockwood , Babcock CEO, said.
“Building long-term partnerships with foreign partners is crucial to PGZ strategy. Our cooperation with Babcock demonstrates real partnership,” Adam Leszkiewicz , CEO, PGZ, commented.
Babcock is already working closely with PGZ as the platform design provider and technology partner for Poland’s Miecznik shipbuilding program. The new ships are based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 platform.
This program will provide the Polish Navy with three multi-role frigates to strengthen its combat capabilities and ability to deter threats on the Baltic Sea and beyond.
“The Miecznik programme is a great example of the benefits our relationship is already delivering. The companies will combine capabilities to design, build, repair and service naval assets, sustain military aircraft and co-develop solutions for strategic asset management for the armed forces,” Lockwood added.
The keel for the first frigate was laid in 2024, while the ship will be launched by 2026, and the navy expects that the frigate will enter service in 2029. In May this year, the construction of the second frigate in this program kicked off.
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The vessels will be 138 meters long, with a width of 20 meters. The maximum displacement will be 7,000 tons, while the maximum speed will be 28 knots. They will be able to accommodate 120 persons plus 60 additional personnel.
Multi-purpose units of this class are expected to increase the capabilities of the Polish Navy and will allow for the implementation of a wide range of tasks at sea, including in the field of securing shipping routes and critical infrastructure.