PHOTOS: Keel laid for Poland’s second Miecznik-class frigate

December 19, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Polish shipbuilder PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (PGZ SW) has held a keel-laying ceremony for the Miecznik-class frigate being built for the Polish Navy, ORP Burza.

The keel-laying ceremony for the second out of three new Miecznik-class frigates took place on December 18, 2025. The event was attended by senior government and defence representatives, including the Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defense Paweł Bejda. It marks another major milestone in the largest shipbuilding program currently underway in Poland. The new vessels are expected to significantly enhance the operational and defence capabilities of the Polish Navy.

The keel section ceremonially laid during the event is the bottom section of the future frigate, bearing construction number 106/2. In accordance with Lloyd’s Register classification requirements, the keel must weigh at least 1% of the hull’s total weight, with a minimum of 50 tonnes. Burza’s keel significantly exceeds these requirements, weighing 127 tonnes, approximately 4.5% of the vessel’s hull weight. The structure measures 24 metres in length and 18 metres in width, according to PGZ SW.

Speaking at the event, Jan Grabowski, Vice President of the Management Board of PGZ, highlighted the strategic importance of the program: “The Miecznik program is a key element of the modernization of the Polish Navy and demonstrates that PGZ Stocznia Wojenna is capable of delivering projects of strategic importance to national security. The next milestone in the construction of Burza confirms that PGZ is systematically building the industrial capacity required to execute long-term modernization programs. Investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital are essential, as a strong defence industry forms the foundation of national sovereignty.”

In parallel with hull construction, reinforcement work and foundations have already been completed. Additional sections, including the adjacent DB 05 section and elements of the bow, are currently in production.

In order to be able to respond to global defense challenges, Poland has launched a program to acquire three multi-role frigates, code-named ‘Miecznik’. The modern Miecznik frigates will be built at PGZ in cooperation with defense companies Babcock, MBDA, Thales, and Remontowa Shipbuilding, as part of the largest contract ever awarded to the Polish shipbuilding industry.

The vessels, based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 ship design, will be 138 meters long, with a width of 20 meters. The maximum displacement will be 7,000 tons, while the maximum speed will be 28 knots. They will be able to accommodate 120 persons plus 60 additional personnel.