Keel for first Polish Swordfish frigate laid

The keel-laying ceremony of the first Swordfish frigate was held on 31 January. (PGZ)

A keel-laying ceremony for Poland's first Project 106 Miecznik (Swordfish)-class frigate was held at the Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa: PGZ) Naval Shipyard in Gdynia on 31 January, PGZ has confirmed.

The future ORP Wicher (274) is the first of three multi-purpose frigates in the class being built by PGZ Naval Shipyard in co-operation with strategic partners Babcock (as the platform design provider and technology partner), Remontowa Shipbuilding, MBDA, and Thales.

Under current planning, Wicher is expected to be launched in the third quarter of 2026 and commissioned following sea trials and qualification tests in 2029.

The keel for the second vessel, Burza (275), will be laid down in late 2025, which will be followed by its launch in 2027 and commissioning in 2030. The keel for the third ship, Huragan (276), will be laid down in late 2026, launched in 2028, and commissioned in 2031.

The ships will have an overall length of 138.7 m, a maximum full load displacement of around 7,000 tonnes, a standard range of around 7,000 n miles at 18 kt, and a maximum speed of 28 kt. They will be able to carry a crew complement of 120 with accommodation for 60 additional staff.

Babcock's Arrowhead 140 design was selected in 2022 to form the basis of Poland's Miecznik-class frigate. The Arrowhead 140 design is derived from the Iver Huitfeldt-class platform already in service with the Royal Danish Navy and also forms the basis of the UK Royal Navy Type 31 general-purpose frigate programme.