Missiles and Guns for Polish Miecznik Frigates Selected

In response to Defence24.pl's questions, spokesman for the Armaments Agency, Lt. Col. Krzysztof Płatek, provided information on the configuration of the weapons and equipment of the Miecznik frigates. - The ships will be equipped with four CODAD diesel engines and their most important systems will include: Tacticos Integrated Combat System, CAMM family air defence missile system, sea-to-sea and sea-to-ground fire system based on RBS missiles, torpedo system based on MU-90 torpedoes as well as 76 mm and 35 mm artillery systems, the latter of which will be based on domestic solutions. The frigates will be equipped with airspace and sea surface observation radars, weapons control radar as well as under-keel and towed sonar, as well as a helipad and hangar - Lt. Col. Płatek said.

The CAMM family missiles developed by MBDA UK are surface-to-air missiles, considered to be most probable option also in the Narew air defence program. The basic version can combat air targets at a distance of more than 25 km, while the enhanced CAMM-ER version also offered to Poland, to a distance of more than 45 km. 

As for the RBS family missiles (produced by Swedish Saab), the Swedish RBS-15 Mk3 missiles (such as those on the Orkan ships) or the newer Mk4 missiles could potentially come into play. These are radar-guided water-water / ground missiles, with a range according to the manufacturer of "over 200 km" (for the Mk 3 version) or "more than 300 km" for the Mk 4 version. The 35 mm gun is probably a variant of the OSU-35 system, intended for installations, incl. for serial Kormoran ships.

Lieutenant Colonel Płatek emphasized that the Miecznik frigates are planned to be built on the basis of the Arrowhead 140 project. "The frigates for the Polish Navy, contracted under the MIECZNIK program, will be constructed on the basis of the AH140 ship platform, therefore their expected length will be 138 m and 20 m wide. The range and the period of autonomy will not differ from the typical parameters of units of this class."

He also added that the value of the project "has not changed." PGZ estimates the amount to run PLN 8 billion gross.

"I would also like to inform you that the estimated value of the contract has not changed at the moment, while the final level of expenditure for the project implementation will be determined by negotiation between the parties after the presentation of updated Technical and Economic Analyzes and the Industrial Feasibility Study" - Lt. Col. Płatek said.

The Miecznik program provides for the construction of three frigates by a consortium led by PGZ, which includes PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and Remontowa Shipbuilding. The units are expected to be capable of countering air, surface (as well as land) and underwater targets. They are also to be used for operations in Standing NATO Maritime Groups.