The Polish Navy has formally named the first ship in a new class of three multi-role frigates.
The future ORP Wicher is being built by PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in collaboration with Remontowa Shipbuilding and defence technology firms the Babcock International Group, Thales, and MBDA.
The Miecznik-class frigates are being built as variants of a Babcock warship design that also serves as the basis for the Type 31 or Inspiration-class frigates ordered by the UK Royal Navy and for a separate class of frigates to be built under licence by state-owned PAL Indonesia for the Indonesian Navy.
Upon completion, each Miecznik-class frigate will have a length of 138 metres, a beam of 20 metres, a displacement of approximately 7,000 tonnes, a top speed of 28 knots, and space for 120 crewmembers and up to 60 additional personnel.
The ship's missions will include anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, offshore infrastructure protection, surveillance, amphibious support, and humanitarian assistance.
The future Wicher is scheduled to be delivered to the Polish Navy no later than 2029.