The PGZ-MIECZNIK consortium, led by The Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), has concluded strategic cooperation agreements with industrial partners from Great Britain. The agreement assumes the launch of the production preparation phase under the program of building three multi-purpose frigates for the Polish Navy.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland have pre-selected the preferred suppliers of the platform design and combat system for new multi-purpose ships of the Polish Navy. In the course of negotiations, the PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium concluded strategic cooperation agreements with suppliers of the first choice: Babcock, Thales UK and MBDA UK.
The Babcock company will provide the AH140 platform design providing a wide range of knowledge and technology enabling to construct these units at PGZ War Shipbuilding and Renovation Shipbuilding. Thales, responsible for the area of Integrated Combat System (ZSW) and MBDA providing anti-aircraft defence systems, will cooperate with PGZ War Shipbuilding Ltd and OBR CTM S.A.
Sebastian Chwałek, President of the Management Board of PGZ emphasized that PGZ makes every effort to implement the next stages of this strategic program as soon as possible, both for the army and the industry. “By maintaining the current pace, we are convinced that we will soon be able to talk about further successes”, said Chwałek
The next stage is the preparation of the updated Industrial Feasibility Study (PSW) and the Preliminary Design of the ships, which will define the final configuration of the Miecznik vessels. According to the schedule, the construction of the ships will start in 2023.
Alex Cresswell, CEO and President of Thales UK says he is proud to be part of this key program for the Polish Armed Forces. “Being chosen by the Polish Armed Forces means appreciation of our technology and also the experience that we bring to the integration and delivery of complex systems. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Poland for the benefit of both nations”, said Cresswell.
Adrian Andrzejewski