On Friday, 19 January 2024, Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. held a ceremonial steel cut for the construction of the fifth modern vessel of the Kormoran II type – a mine destroyer of the 258 project. The vessel, after ship commissioning, will take the name ORP Rybitwa to be handed over to the Polish Navy in 2027. Kormoran II-type mine destroyers are key to ensuring the maritime security of Poland and our allies. They are modern and versatile vessels capable of detecting, identifying and destroying sea mines at various depths and conducting reconnaissance and patrol operations.
In this project PGZ Stocznia Wojenna is responsible for the delivery, installation, commissioning, testing of very advanced special systems:
– Navigation and Technical Observation System,
– Integrated Communications System and Crypto,
– ICT networks,
– Weapons systems (including the OSU-35 cannon).
The first warship of Project 258, ORP Kormoran, was handed over to the Polish Navy in November 2017 while ORP Albatros and ORP Mewa in 2022.
In July 2023, construction of the fourth vessel – ORP Jaskółka – began. The warship is in the hull outfitting phase. ORP Rybitwa is next and ORP Czajka will close the series. These three vessels will become a part of the 12th Wolin minesweeper squadron of the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla.
Photo: Polish Navy
