The construction of multi-role frigates under the Miecznik programme is a project involving dozens of suppliers from around the world. Some of the shipboard systems are strictly defined by the Arrowhead 140 design and must be sourced from specific manufacturers. However, where the Shipyard has genuine freedom of choice, it deliberately opts for Polish partners and Polish engineering expertise.
One example of this policy is the collaboration with DOE – a family-run company based in Gdynia with wholly Polish capital, operating since 1992, with a production facility in Łężyce. DOE specialises in advanced water management systems for the maritime, offshore and industrial sectors. Under three contracts, the company is supplying a complete range of equipment in this field for the Miecznik-class frigates.
In the field of water production and treatment, this includes DOE Pelican desalinators producing fresh water from seawater using reverse osmosis (total capacity 2 x 25 m³/day), equipment for the production of process and demineralised water (DOE Strok and DOE Shark) together with a pressure booster system, and automatic chlorination systems with concentration control (DOE Mosquito and DOE Nemo).
The delivery also includes pressure tanks to maintain pressure in the domestic water system, DOE Seal electric domestic hot water heaters (2 x 200 litres), as well as a set of shipboard tanks: for AVCAT helicopter fuel, for main engine and generator lubricating oil, lubricating oil replenishment tanks, and tanks for bilge and rainwater. The delivery is complemented by a non-pressurised tank for deck waste with an internal flushing system and level measurement.
“The Arrowhead 140 project imposes many specific technical solutions on us. But when it comes to water management, sanitary installations and ship tanks, we have real freedom of choice. And we are making conscious use of it, turning to Polish suppliers and Polish engineering expertise.” – Marcin Ryngwelski, Chairman of the Management Board of PGZ Naval Shipyard
The collaboration with DOE Sp. z o.o. forms part of a broader programme to build a domestic supply chain for the defence industry, implemented, amongst other things, as part of the government initiative “Local Content. For the benefit of Poland”.
