PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (PGZ SW) in Gdynia has held a christening ceremony for ORP Wicher, the first of three multi-purpose frigates being built under Poland’s Miecznik program.
The ceremony, which took place on August 12, was attended by President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki. The ship’s sponsor was Agata Ziemiańska, wife of Polish Navy vice-admiral Adm. Jarosław Ziemiański. In accordance with maritime tradition, she officially named the ship Wicher by breaking a bottle of champagne against the hull.
ORP Wicher is the first of three Miecznik-class multi-role frigate program ships, designed to strengthen Poland's maritime defence capabilities. The ship is scheduled for launching today (August 13).
Instead of traditional confetti, the ceremony was marked by the powerful blasts of the ship horns of two vessels that could be described as Wicher’s “older brothers”: ORP Kościuszko, which will accompany Wicher during its launch tomorrow, and ORP Pułaski, which is currently in dry dock at the shipyard.
The Miecznik project is the largest shipbuilding program in the history of the Polish Navy. It includes the construction of three multi-purpose frigates that will replace aging vessels in the Polish fleet and strengthen Poland’s ability to protect its maritime interests.
The program is being implemented by the PGZ-MIECZNIK consortium, comprising Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa and PGZ Stocznia Wojenna. The frigates are based on Babcock International’sArrowhead 140 design, adapted to the requirements of the Polish Navy.
“The launch of Wicher is the result of the work of our entire team and another demonstration of the transformation taking place at the shipyard. We are showing that Poland has the capability to design, build and safely launch vessels of this class – first inside a shipbuilding hall and then using the float-off method, in accordance with the highest safety standards and the established schedule," Marcin Ryngwelski, CEO of PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, said.
"Wicher, the first frigate in the Miecznik program, will be followed by Burza and Huragan, while the expertise we are developing through these projects will remain at the shipyard for years to come. This represents a real strengthening of the capabilities of the Polish Navy and Poland’s shipbuilding industry.”
“Within the PGZ Group, we are implementing projects of strategic importance to national security. The christening and launch of the first frigate under the Miecznik program is one of the most important milestones in rebuilding the operational capabilities of the Polish Navy," Adam Leszkiewicz, CEO of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, stated.
The vessels have a projected overall length of approximately 138 metres and a maximum beam of around 20 metres. Each vessel will have a maximum displacement of about 7,000 tonnes, including auxiliary equipment and hull plating.
They are designed to achieve a range of roughly 8,000 nautical miles and a top speed of up to 28 knots. The propulsion system consists of four CODAD diesel piston engines driving two controllable-pitch propellers. Each ship will have a core crew of around 120 personnel, with accommodation for an additional 60 embarked staff.
Following the launch, ORP Wicher will enter the outfitting and systems integration phase alongside the quay. Delivery of the frigate to the Polish Navy is planned for 2029.
Meanwhile, construction of the other two vessels in the program, Burza and Huragan, is continuing at the shipyard. The Miecznik program is scheduled for completion by the end of 2031.
Credit: PGZ SW
Credit: PGZ SW
Credit: PGZ SW
Credit: PGZ SW