According to the annexed contract, the serial ships (i.e. the second and third units) will be fitted with sensors and effectors identical to those contracted for the first prototype unit, thus allowing for the protection of the air and surface domain. According to the provisions of the annex, the second and third frigates will be fitted with 76mm OTO Melara Super Rapid Strales medium calibre cannon, VLS Mk-41 rocket launchers, SeaCeptor CAMM missile system, modern and NS50 series radars, as well as Friend or Foe Identification systems.
Consequently, the contract, the value of which after signing all the annexes to date amounts to approximately PLN 14.8 billion (which is more than 92% of the total programme cost), will allow the procurement of all three Miecznik frigates within the assumed contractual deadlines, i.e. by 2031, including ships 2 and 3 fitted with sensors and effectors identical to those contracted for the first frigate. The final shape of the equipment of the serial ships will result from the conclusions drawn from the tests carried out on prototype unit 1.
Under the contract, the Miecznik frigates under construction at PGZ Wojenna Shipyard will be equipped with an Integrated Mission System, including an integrated bridge and integrated communications system, an integrated platform management system and a combat system, i.e. a combat management system, sensors and effectors including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems.
Ultimately, all ships will carry VLS Mk-41 vertical missile launchers and CAMM family missiles. surface to surface missiles will be designed to combat surface and land targets. Artillery armament will include a 76mm medium-calibre OTO Melara Super Rapid Strales cannon, two 35mm OSU-35K cannons equipped with programmable ammunition, remote-controlled armament modules equipped with large-calibre machine guns and manually guided large-calibre machine guns. Torpedo armament will include two twin torpedo launchers. The ships will have medium and long-range multifunction radars and fire control radar and imaging reconnaissance means, as well as hull and towed sonar. They will also be equipped with radio-electronic warfare and defence measures.
In line with the Polish Armed Forces’ previous choice of strategic partner, the contractor’s proposal, the PGZ-Miecznik Consortium, based on cooperation with strategic partners from the UK, i.e. Babcock International Group, manufacturer of the Arrowhead 140 frigates, and Thales UK, which will provide the TACTICOS Integrated Combat System (ICS), was considered the most favourable option for the Miecznik project. Based on this decision, the contractor developed a Preliminary Ship Design for the selected solution and updated the Industrial Feasibility Study with a Technical and Economic Analysis.
In accordance with the above-mentioned documents and in order to ensure uniformity of the equipment used and to speed up the construction of the second and third units, the contractor proposed to carry out the construction of Miecznik frigates in the “cascade” variant, i.e. by acquiring ready-made elements that will not be subject to further modifications during the project, which translated into combining the phase concerning the design and development of the first unit and the delivery phase of the next two serial units.
The Miecznik frigates will increase the Polish Navy’s capabilities in terms of conducting observation and control of sea areas, protection of naval bases, combating surface, underwater and land targets located in the coastal zone, as well as conducting air defence of the country from the sea direction, Due to their high air defence capabilities, they will be a highly valued contribution to allied operations within the North Atlantic Pact.
Basic parameters of the ships:
- Overall length – approx. 138 m,
- Maximum width – approximately 20 m,
- Height – approx. 10 m (1 deck),
- Maximum displacement (including auxiliary equipment and plating) – approx. 7,000 t,
- Range – approx. 8,000 nautical miles,
- Max speed – 28 knots,
- Propulsion – 4 diesel CODAD engines, 2 set screws,
- Crew – 120 persons + approximately 60 additional personnel.
