Latest phase of “Miecznik” programme to get underway in
Poland
Three major UK defence companies will help build
state-of-the-art multi-mission frigate fleet
“A major vote of confidence in our world-class expertise”
– UK Investment Minister
The UK Government has welcomed deals between three of the UK’s
largest defence contractors and the Polish Navy.
The Polish Navy’s Miecznik (“Swordfish” in Polish) frigates
programme will now begin its next phase of
development.
An agreement between MBDA UK and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ)
was signed today. This is the third of PGZ’s contracts with UK
companies under the Miecznik programme, following agreements with
Babcock and Thales UK. The first of the three multi-mission
frigates is expected to enter service in 2029.
Investment Minister Lord Dominic Johnson said:
Our defence exports are good for the economy and boost investment
and jobs across the country.
This agreement is a major vote of confidence in our world-class
industrial expertise. Poland is a key partner for the UK, and
this partnership will further strengthen the Polish fleet by
putting some of the best UK capabilities behind it.
The UK government has supported negotiations for a series of
strategic agreements between three major UK defence companies and
the Polish Armaments Group.
UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE), part of the UK
Department for Business and Trade, has been a key player in
facilitating and securing these deals, in close collaboration
with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy. The aim is to
strengthen long-term economic and defence cooperation between the
two countries and support the UK’s competitive export
offer.
These agreements mean the frigates will be built in Poland with
substantial transfers of technology and skills, boosting the
economic security of a key NATO ally.
Minister for Defence Procurement said:
It is a testament to our outstanding defence industry that our
key NATO ally has chosen warships based on the AH140 design - a
design utilised by the Type 31 Frigates soon to be in service
with the Royal Navy. The ships will enhance the Polish fleet,
bolster NATO capabilities and support interoperability between
the UK and Poland.
These agreements are also another example of the very close
working relationship we have with our Polish counterparts,
building on our progress in many areas of defence.
Each company plays a crucial role in the Polish frigate programme
as a partner of the Miecznik consortium led by PGZ.
Through a design licence agreement for its Arrowhead 140 frigate,
Babcock is the platform design provider and strategic technology
partner. The company is also a key part of the Programme
Management Office which oversees design and construction of the
ships.
Thales UK will equip the frigates with the TACTICOS combat
management system, sensors and radars, while MBDA UK will provide
its Sea Ceptor naval air defence system, which will be equipped
with CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) family missiles that
have been recently procured by Poland for ground-based air
defence.
