Artists’ interpretation of the UK’s five new Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates manufactured by Babcock. This Arrowhead 140 (AH140) design will be used for Poland’s Miecznik frigate programme as the two countries strengthen their naval industrial ties. Credit: UK Royal Navy.

Babcock has extended its contract with PGZ to support the construction of Poland’s Miecznik frigates until the completion of the third and final vessel in 2031.

Experts from the British shipbuilder are sharing foundational knowledge and insight as the original equipment manufacturer of the Arrowhead-141 design. This model is used in the develeopment of the UK Royal Navy’s future Type-31 frigates on which the Polish class is based. Appropriately, the Polish Navy named its own programme the ‘Swordfish’ or ‘Miecznik’.

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Babcock has offered its support to the sovereign manufacturing of the future Polish fleet since October 2023, when a design licence agreement was granted to the PGZ consortium.

The vessels will be 138 metres (m) long, 20m wide, and 10m high, with a displacement of approximately 7,000 tonnes. They will accommodate between 100 and 120 personnel and have an operational endurance of 30 days at sea without replenishment. They can achieve a maximum speed of 28 knots and will have a range of 8,000 nautical miles.

Construction of the Miecznik ships have brought in other suppliers too, including Rohde and Schwartz. The German company, recognised for its communications architectures and electronic support measures (ESM), announced signing a contract with PGZ Stocznia Wojenna at the beginning of August 2024.

It will supply radar and communications electronic support measure systems designed to enhance the operational capabilities of the three multi-role Miecznik frigates. These systems detect and identify potential threats, ensuring the safety and security of the naval platform and its crew.

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Prior to this, the pan-European missile manufacturer MBDA was brought in to furnish the Miecznik arsenal with the Sea Ceptor air defence system. It is designed to shield naval vessels from threats, including supersonic anti-ship missiles and uncrewed surface vessels, enhancing the security of Poland’s maritime interests.

The contract marks a continuation of agreements between MBDA and Poland, mainly focusing on MBDA’s CAMM family of air defence missiles. Likewise, the Royal Navy has also adopted the Sea Ceptor and accompanying CAMM missiles for its own Type-31 fleet.