First Polish Type 31 frigate derivative, ORP Wicher launched in Gdynia

The first of Poland’s new Miecznik-class frigates, ORP Wicher, has been launched in Gdynia, marking a major milestone in the renewal of the Polish Navy and another success for the British-designed Arrowhead 140 frigate.

The first of Poland’s new Miecznik-class frigates, ORP Wicher, has been launched in Gdynia, marking a major milestone in the renewal of the Polish Navy and another success for the British-designed Arrowhead 140 frigate.

The 140-metre warship was lowered into the Bay of Gdańsk today using a semi-submersible barge following a complex operation to move the completed hull out of the construction hall at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna. Wicher had been formally named and christened on 12th August during a ceremony attended by Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. (Wicher translates into English as “Gale”).

UK Defence Minister Lord Coaker was also in Gdynia for the event, highlighting the significant British industrial involvement in the programme. Coaker described Poland as a close friend, trusted ally and one of Britain’s most important security partners, pointing to Miecznik as tangible evidence of the growing defence relationship between the two countries. Babcock is providing the Arrowhead 140 design, while Thales and MBDA are major combat system and weapons partners.

The three-ship Miecznik (Swordfish) programme is the largest modernisation project currently underway for the Polish Navy and will eventually replace its two elderly ex-US Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, ORP Gen. K. Pułaski and ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko.

Wicher is due to be followed by ORP Burza and ORP Huragan, with construction of the third ship beginning in April this year. Current plans envisage delivery of the three frigates between 2029 and 2031. The Polish ships are based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, which also forms the basis of the five Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates being constructed for the Royal Navy at Rosyth. Ultimately derived from the Danish Iver Huitfeldt-class, the basic platform has proved highly adaptable and is also attracting considerable export interest. The Wicher follows the first Indonesian Arrowhead 140 derivative, KRI Balaputradewa, which was floated off in December 2025.

Although Wicher and the Type 31 share the same design ancestry, the Polish ships will emerge with a more comprehensive weapon and sensor fit. Wicher will have 32 Mk 41 vertical launch cells and will use the MBDA CAMM family of surface-to-air missiles, including the longer-range CAMM-MR being developed jointly by Britain and Poland. The ships will also carry eight Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles, with provision for a further eight, together with a Leonardo 76mm Strales main gun and two Polish-made 35mm guns.

The Thales sensor fit includes fixed-panel radars and both hull-mounted and towed-array sonar. Two twin torpedo launchers will fire MU90 lightweight torpedoes, giving Miecznik an organic anti-submarine capability that the Type 31 does not currently possess, although both platforms share the Thales TACTICOS combat management system. Type 31 could be seen as the poor relation to Miecznik, but the British ships have been built on a tight budget that dictated economies and should be seen in the wider context of the 13-frigate construction programme for the RN.

One significant question remains over embarked aviation. Poland has yet to procure a dedicated helicopter fleet specifically for the new frigates following the retirement of its ageing Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprites. Although the Polish Navy has acquired four Leonardo AW101 helicopters for anti-submarine warfare and combat search and rescue, these are mainly intended to be shore-based. Securing an appropriate embarked helicopter will be important if Miecznik is to exploit fully its substantial ASW sensor and weapons fit.

The launch is also significant for British naval exports. Rather than simply purchasing frigates constructed abroad, Poland is using the Arrowhead 140 design as the foundation of a major domestic shipbuilding programme. The ships are being assembled in Gdynia with technology and expertise transferred from British industry, while the combat system incorporates substantial UK content.

For the Polish Navy, Wicher and her sisters will represent a considerable leap in naval capability. Its existing Perry-class frigates entered US Navy service in 1980 and were transferred to Poland more than two decades later. The Miecznik ships will instead provide modern area air defence, surface strike and anti-submarine capabilities while being suitable for sustained deployments with NATO maritime groups.

Their importance has also grown as security in the Baltic has deteriorated. Poland is investing heavily in naval forces able to protect sea lines of communication and increasingly important offshore energy infrastructure, as well as contribute more effectively to NATO operations. ORP Wicher will now begin fitting out, system integration and trials before entering Polish Navy service. Burza (Storm) and Huragan (Hurricane) will follow, potentially giving Poland one of the most heavily armed frigate forces in the Baltic region by the beginning of the next decade.

Unless otherwise credited, images via: GospodarkaMorska.pl

First Polish Type 31 frigate derivative, ORP Wicher launched in Gdynia