The current status of the construction program for the multi-role frigates, project 106 Miecznik (“Swordfish”), was presented at a press meeting by Cezary Cierzan, Director of the Marine Technologies Department at the Polish Armaments Group, Marcin Ryngwelski, President of the PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, and Piotr Jaszczura, Head of the Integrated Mission System Department (MSPO 2024: Babcock continues support within the Miecznik program).
Current appearance of the project 106 Miecznik ships / Photos: Przemysław Gurgurewicz, MILMAG
During the presentation, the latest profile of the Miecznik ship was shown, highlighting the most significant visible changes recently introduced to the design:
- Separation of the Thales Sea Master 410 radar antennas onto two masts – three panels are placed on the forward mast, while the fourth, covering the aft sector, has been moved to the extended rear mast, leading to significant design changes.
- Placement of the antennas for the Rohde & Schwarz Kora integrated electronic warfare system, as well as communication system antennas, on the aforementioned rear mast.
- Midship installation of Kongsberg NSM missile launchers, replacing the previously planned Saab RBS-15 missiles.
The progress of investments at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna related to the Miecznik program was also discussed. According to President Ryngwelski, all inspections of the buildings constructed during the current phase of the shipyard’s modernization should be completed by December 14 of this year. At that point, the shipyard will have new facilities: a production hall with a nearby office building and a new hull integration hall. Additionally, the long-awaited relocation of the floating dock to a new dock basin, being prepared near the hull integration hall, will also take place.
Tasks related to the modernization of the shipyard’s technical equipment have also been completed. Among other things, the following were purchased: a flat section line, a micro-panel processing line, a profile processing machine, and a sheet metal cutting machine. The remaining construction investment is the construction of a new warehouse, which will serve as the Logistics and Storage Center. It will house, for example, equipment purchased for the program that requires specific storage conditions (licensed warehouse), such as Mk 41 launchers. The design work is currently being finalized, and tenders for the selection of the general contractor are expected to be announced in May-June 2025.
No changes have occurred in the construction schedule, and all previous dates remain valid. President Ryngwelski emphasized that, thanks to the excellent working conditions for the shipbuilders, as the work is being done indoors in enclosed halls, he intends to launch the hulls in as advanced a state of completion as possible, aiming for 95% equipment installation.
Configuration of the armament and equipment selected for the Miecznik frigates. Circles indicate the elements that still need to be ordered
The construction schedule of the frigates has not changed; the completion of all three is planned for the years 2029-2031.
The President of PGZ Stocznia Wojenna speaking next to a slide showing the current phase of the shipyard’s infrastructure modernization
Some of the shipyard equipment purchases that have already been completed
Logistics and Storage Center. The last of the shipyard’s construction investments, set to begin in mid-next year