The keel laying ceremony for the inaugural Polish signals intelligence ship, a joint project between Saab and Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A., commenced yesterday in Gdansk, Poland.
This event signifies the collaborative effort to construct two advanced SIGINT ships to bolster the Polish Navy’s intelligence capabilities across the maritime domain. The project, initiated in late 2022, has garnered enthusiasm from key stakeholders, including Saab, the Polish Armament Agency, the Polish Navy, and Remontowa Holding.
The construction project, contracted to Saab, a defence and security solutions provider, includes designing and producing two SIGINT ships with integrated advanced mission systems. These vessels are set to change how intelligence data is acquired and processed across naval operations.
Mats Wicksell, Senior Vice President and head of Saab’s business area Kockums expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts on this crucial project. “Naval intelligence ship systems are advanced platforms that must be highly reliable and available.
The keel laying ceremony today is an important milestone in the shipbuilding process, and we appreciate the cooperation with our Polish customer, the Armament Agency, the Polish Navy and our partner in this project Remontowa Holding.”
The partnership with Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A., which has a reputation in shipbuilding and repair services, has ensured that the project remains firmly grounded in Poland. The steel-cutting ceremony, held on April 27, 2023, initiated the physical construction of the first ship.
In a step towards enhancing the nation’s naval intelligence capabilities, the Polish Navy has been anticipating the delivery of these advanced SIGINT ships. With the ever-evolving nature of modern maritime threats, these vessels will enhance situational awareness and data analysis, helping safeguard Poland’s interests in the region and beyond.
Once operational, the SIGINT ships will be instrumental in conducting intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions. Their ability to gather and process intelligence data from various sources will bolster the Polish Navy’s ability to maintain maritime security and respond effectively to emerging threats.
This keel-laying ceremony marks a step forward in the joint venture between Saab and Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A., underscoring Poland’s commitment to strengthening its naval capabilities and fostering valuable partnerships in the defence industry.
This week, Saab also secured an order from Poland for two Saab 340 airborne early warning aircraft equipped with advanced Erieye radar, further solidifying Saab’s partnership with Poland’s Ministry of National Defence.
