Poland has taken another significant step in strengthening its Navy with the start of construction of the second Miecznik-class frigate, named Burza (“Storm” in Polish). The information was confirmed by the country’s Ministry of Defense this week.
Work began at the PGZ Shipyard in Gdynia — the same location where the first ship of the program is also under construction. However, the ceremony marked only the symbolic cutting of the first metal plate, not the official keel laying.
Modern and powerful frigates
The Miecznik class is being developed based on the British Arrowhead 140 design by Babcock and represents a milestone in the modernization of the Polish Navy. A total of three ships are planned in the program.
The frigates will have a displacement of up to 7,000 tons, a length of 138.7 meters, a width of 19.7 meters, and a draft of 5.5 meters. The crew will consist of around 100 to 120 sailors, with a total capacity of up to 160 people on board.
Operationally, the ships are expected to reach a top speed of 26 knots, with a cruising range of up to 6,000 nautical miles and the ability to operate at sea for 30 consecutive days.
Firepower and defense
The Burza frigate, like the others in the class, will be equipped to counter aerial, surface, and underwater threats. Key weapons include:
- Leonardo 76mm Super Rapido cannon for close-range defense
- 16 RBS-15 anti-ship missiles as the main offensive armament
- Mk.41 VLS vertical launcher with 32 cells, compatible with CAMM family missiles, cruise missiles, and interceptors
The first frigate of the series is scheduled to be launched in 2026, with testing and delivery to the Polish Navy expected between 2028 and 2030. The second, Burza, is expected to be completed during the 2030s.
Source and images: Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej | X @MON_GOV_PL. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
