Portal partners
Storm on Oxywiu – burning metal under another Sword
Author:Mariusz Dasiewicz
On 5 May at 11 a.m. at the PGZ of the Gdynia Shipyard, another symbolic act took place – burning sheets for the future frigate of the ORP Storm. Although at first glance it is just a flash of torch and the smell of burnt steel, in fact it is one of the key moments on the road to rebuilding the maritime power of the Republic.
In the article
The presence of the highest authorities and industry at the steel burning ceremony
The ceremony was attended by, among others, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence, the Armed Forces Agency, the Polish Armed Group, as well as the commander of the Polish Navy, the board of PGZ Naval Shipyard and representatives of the arms industry involved in the program MIecznik.
During the ceremony, Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that the Baltic became a strategic watershed of NATO, and modern frigates are a response to threats and a symbol of Poland's commitment to building a strong fleet. He also pointed out that investment in the Swordsmen is not only an element of the strategy of deterrence, but also an impulse for the national defence industry and technological competence.
Fire under the storm’s hull – second stage of the Sword Program
Welding sutures are not cold yet on the future ORP WindAnd he's already cutting himself into another frigate. Metal burning is not a ceremonial spectacle, but a real launch of the ship's construction, which will become one of the pillars of the 3rd Fleet Ship. It is there – in the War Port on Gdynia Oxywiu – that the whole team of Swordsmen will find their home.
Storm will be the second of the three Arrowhead 140 frigates built under the program Miecznik programme. The third will bear the name Hurricane. These names – referring to the pre-war destroyers of the Polish Navy – carry not only symbolism but also a commitment.
Technology and capabilities – Swordpiece is more than a hull
The frigates of the Sword will be 138.7 metres long and 19.75 metres wide. With a displacement of 7000 tonnes, the maximum speed exceeding 26 knots and a march of 12 knots will be developed. The operational range of the ships will reach 8,000 nautical miles. Units will be adapted to carry out activities in the full spectrum of threats.
The main weaponry will include the Norwegian NSM (Naval Strike Missile) anti-ship missiles from Kongsberg, which in 2024 replaced the previously planned RBS15 missiles. For combating air threats, frigates will receive a vertical take-off system VLS Mk 41, equipped with 32-chamber launchers capable of carrying up to 128 CAMM family missiles, including CAMM-ER.
The weapons will also feature 76 mm Super Rapid Straus cannons, 35 mm OSU-35M casing sets and It can better write "smaller caliber" , or small caliber or best give a specific caliber, e.g. 12.7 mm machine guns. In the field of POPs Torpedo launchers and hangar and landing pad for on-board helicopters not yet selected are provided.
Integral part of the frigate underwater surveillance system Miecznik programme sonar towed Thales CAPTAS-2, belonging to the category of active low frequency sonars (LFAS). Compared to hull sonars, CAPTAS-2 provides much more range and detection efficiency, which translates into a real tactical advantage in POP actions – especially on waters such as the Baltic.
Protection of the interests of maritime states
Tasks frigate Swordfish nie ograniczą się tylko do dozoru wód terytorialnych. Ich głównym celem będzie ochrona morskiej infrastruktury krytycznej – gazociągu Baltic Pipe, morskich farm wiatrowych oraz systemów komunikacyjnych. Dzięki rozbudowanym zdolnościom w zakresie obrony przeciwlotniczej, jednostki te będą mogły rozciągać nad wskazanymi obiektami parasol ochronny, przeciwdziałając skutecznie zagrożeniom z powietrza.
Równolegle fregaty Miecznik będą wspierać działania ekspedycyjne i humanitarne, a także osłaniać transporty morskie oraz zespoły okrętów sojuszniczych NATO.
Costs under control
Jak pisaliśmy w 2023 roku, zrywając z falą spekulacji, Agencja Uzbrojenia ujawniła aktualną wartość kontraktu na budowę fregat typu Miecznik. Po podpisaniu wszystkich dotychczasowych aneksów, umowa opiewa na kwotę około 14,8 miliarda złotych brutto, co stanowi ponad 92% przewidywanych kosztów całego programu. Można zatem zakładać, że po pełnym doposażeniu drugiej i trzeciej jednostki łączna wartość programu nie przekroczy 16 miliardów złotych.
Czy publikacja tych danych rzeczywiście kończy okres niepewności i spekulacji, wprowadzając większą transparentność zarówno dla opinii publicznej, jak i partnerów przemysłowych? Ostateczne potwierdzenie tych szacunków przyniosą jednak najbliższe lata – pod warunkiem, że budowa będzie postępować zgodnie z założonym harmonogramem.
Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz
