The Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) has reached an agreement with Lockheed Martin concerning the VLS Mk 41 vertical launch system for the CAMM family of missiles, which will be installed on three Miecznik frigates under construction. The frigates are under construction by a consortium with foreign partners, including Lockheed Martin and MBDA – the manufacturer of anti-aircraft missiles of the CAMM family.

“We have today concluded an agreement with Lockheed Martin under DCS (Direct Commercial Sales) to provide the VLS Mk 41 vertical launching system together with ExLS (Exstensible Launching System) modules for the CAMM family of missiles for the three frigates being built by the PGZ-MIECZNIK consortium. Each of the frigates under construction will receive four launchers with eight chambers – a total of 32 chambers per ship.

The Mk 41 launcher system is currently the most common on ships of NATO fleets. The Vertical Launch System (VLS) is a type of missile launcher used on warships in which the missiles are launched completely vertically, only taking their final course in the air.

Such a system allows the missiles to be fired more quickly in different directions without having to rotate the launcher, which is aimed in one direction. In addition, the missiles are stored in sealed chambers so that they are protected from the elements. The vertical launchers will be the main armament of the Miecznik frigates.

The Miecznik programme envisages the construction of three multi-role frigates for the Navy. The contract between the Defence Ministry’s Armament Agency and the PGZ Miecznik consortium was signed in 2021. Measuring more than 140m, the ships will secure shipping lanes and energy infrastructure, as well as fulfil tasks within the framework of NATO Standing Ship Teams. The first Miecznik frigate is scheduled to enter service with the Polish Navy in 2029.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński