Ślązak OPV Transforms into Gawron Surface Combatant

Documentation published on 30th December, 2024, by the Armament Agency outlines plans for a thorough modernization of the ORP Ślązak patrol corvette, specifically stating: “retrofitting the ORP Ślązak patrol corvette with weapon systems and additional equipment.” This operation is set to be preceded by preliminary market consultations, which will enable the preparation of procurement specifications and determine the required budget. The Armament Agency has set a tight schedule, giving interested parties until January 17, 2025, to submit the necessary documentation.

The invitation published by the Armament Agency is somewhat surprising due to the broad scope of planned upgrades for ORP Ślązak. While some changes to the Polish vessel had been previously announced (as mentioned by the Minister of Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, during the Polish Navy Day on 28th November, 2024), few expected funding to cover “everything”. Now it appears that resources might be found to enable capabilities such as:

• countering surface threats with missiles;
• countering air threats with missiles;
• countering UAS;
• EW/SIGINT;
• employment of UAS;

The Armament Agency’s indication of such a wide range of modernization works likely stems from a rough estimate of the overall costs involved.

A critical element of these estimates is the “stability and unsinkability documentation post-upgrade with new equipment,” prepared by the PGZ Group for a gross amount of PLN 520,966.50. This document, completed under a contract with the Gdynia Naval Port Command in August 2022, accounted for as many as four upgrade scenarios for the ship.

The market consultations announced in December 2024 will also define:

• The necessary training package for the crew and military maintenance personnel to support the new capabilities of the ORP Ślązak, and the retrofitting process;
• The necessary logistical support package tailored to the new capabilities of the ORP Ślązak’s new equipment;
• The feasibility of upgrading the ORP Ślązak within a defined timeframe, including leveraging existing technical solutions and production capacities at one of Poland’s shipyards.

The invitation issued by the Armament Agency does not guarantee that the modernization of ORP Ślązak will actually occur. The outcome will depend on the results of the consultations and the cost estimates generated during this process. It is possible that in 2025, ORP Ślązak will undergo only its previously scheduled dry-dock overhaul. This is necessary as the vessel was commissioned on November 28, 2019, marking five years in service.