Another stage in the development of naval mine-minor forces

On March 15, MON announced its intention to purchase another three Kormoran II mine destroyers. The Navy modernisation programme in one of its areas is thus being met.

On construction in the Polish shipbuilding consortium (PGZ Stocznia WojennaThe Shipbuilding Research and Development Centre of the Marine Technology Centre has already written enough to repeat the same content. As well as about the very ships of the 258 project, which are new quality not only in Polish shipbuilding and the Navy, but also in NATO's antimine forces.

For never in Poland was built Such a large war unit made of a magnetic steel. Never (or, in fact, after World War II) did the Polish fleet have the most modern ship in its class in the world. The Polish choice of technology of ships built of a magnetic steel, allowed us to join the elite club of users of such units, namely the fleets of Germany (10 ships of type 332 Frankenthal – incarnate 1993-98), Turkey (6 ships of type A type variant 332 – incarnate in 2005-9) and the UAE and Indonesia (also using family ships) 332, UAE of two taken over from Germany and Indonesia of 2 built in Germany by type 332). The choice made, with supporters and opponents, is already beyond discussion, but has led to a situation where Poland currently has the most modern solution in this category.

Construction and entry into service of the ORP prototype unit Cormoran, caused an increase in the cost of the program, but also allowed to refine the concept of an innovative ship and order two serial units (ORPs) Albatros and ORP Seagull), distinctly different from the prototype. Reached stage of mass construction, which is confirmed by the fact that the two units are currently in the phase of shipbuilding and maritime trials, allows for the "consumation" of the military success achieved today.

In the current situation, when construction The lifeguard. finally postponed (perhaps what the author strongly believes until the shape and timing of the acquisition – largely defining architecture The lifeguard. – submarines), and construction Swordfish it has not yet entered the industrial phase, ordering the construction of three much needed mine destroyers is the most rational step.

Ordering a second series of Kormorans, will allow the consortium to maintain highly qualified personnel, will give a further impetus to the development of Polish equipment components such as SCOT or AM-35, will increase the credibility of ship manufacturers on international markets and finally will lead to this segment of MW capacity to the condition desired in the Technical Modernisation Plan.

New Cormorants supported by modernised trawlers 207 in the standard coastal/assisting mine destroyer and traditional 207 trawlers, will allow to achieve the desired set of combat support units in this category.

One should only hope that these modern mine forces will have opportunities not only to purify Polish waters from the remnants of world wars, but also to effectively support future battleships of the main classes.

Written by Tomasz Witkiewicz