On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Donald Tusk visited PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in Gdynia, a subsidiary of Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), where three modern frigates are being built under the Miecznik program, the largest modernization program of the Polish Navy.
Photos: PGZ
“Our shipbuilding industry truly has strong growth prospects. Poland today has a real opportunity to dominate the Baltic Sea, and that is our ambition,” the head of government stated.
A key role in this process is played by Gdynia, which this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of receiving city rights. This port city, from the very beginning a symbol of modernity and openness to the world, is now becoming part of a major geopolitical project in the Baltic Sea, crucial to the security of both Europe and Poland.
Poland Can Play a Leading Role in the Baltic
PGZ Stocznia Wojenna is currently at the heart of the modernization of the Polish Navy, where key national security programs are being implemented. Three modern frigates, Wicher, Burza, and Huragan, will be built in Gdynia under the Miecznik program, along with a rescue vessel under the Ratownik program.
“The value of the Miecznik program amounts to 15 billion PLN. The investment is being carried out by Polish Armaments Group in cooperation with British partners. This is part of a major project that forms the Secure Baltic program,” Donald Tusk emphasized at the Gdynia shipyard.
The construction of new Polish naval vessels represents not only future security in the Baltic Sea, but also a major technological achievement.
“The frigates will be capable – without putting into port – of sailing from Gdynia to New York and back. That is impressive. Not only the sheer scale and modernity, but also the technical capabilities –unprecedented,” the Prime Minister said.
With the expansion of Polish ports and the development of the fleet, the country aspires to play a leading role in the Baltic Sea.
“Our maritime power, now being reborn, includes both the joint NATO Baltic Sentry operation and the development of ports and the fleet. The new frigates are only part of our ambitions – part of this great maritime project, of which Gdynia is the absolute center,” emphasized Donald Tusk.
An important element of strengthening Poland’s position in the Baltic Sea is also the Orka program, carried out in cooperation with Sweden. Its objective is for Poland to acquire new submarines.
“Gdynia is becoming part of a very important geopolitical project. Our increasingly close cooperation with Sweden, as well as with Norway, Finland, and the Baltic states, is becoming absolutely crucial for the security of Europe and Poland, and for NATO’s functioning in the region,” the head of government explained.
The launch of the first of the three frigates being built by the Gdynia shipyard is scheduled to take place later in 2026.
Gdynia – Poland’s Pearl on the Baltic
One hundred years ago, Gdynia was granted city rights, becoming a symbol of modernity and Poland’s development ambitions.
“Gdynia was created so that our country could be sovereign and open to the entire world. Even before the war, Gdynia became one of the largest ports on the Baltic Sea,” recalled Donald Tusk.
After the war, Gdynia remained a source of pride for the country.
“It was truly the most modern place in Poland. Gdynia was a symbol of our aspirations to belong to the Western community. And today, once again, it is becoming synonymous with Polish ambition. Gdynia, together with Gdańsk, Sopot, and Szczecin – although they have different traditions – can unite in a single current of building a successful Poland,” the Prime Minister said.
In 2025, Gdynia was named the best Polish city with county rights in the prestigious Water City Index 2025. In 2024, the Institute for Quality of Life ranked Gdynia highest among Polish cities in its global ranking of the world’s happiest cities. These distinctions confirm that Gdynia today combines dynamic development with a high quality of life for its residents.