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Poland Launches Miecznik Frigate ORP Wicher in Gdynia

8/13/2026

Summary

Poland Launches Frigate

Poland launched Miecznik-class frigate ORP Wicher in Gdynia on August 13, 2026.
President Karol Nawrocki and UK Defence Minister Lord Coaker christened the ship on August 12, 2026, while PLN 15 billion equips it with 32 Mk 41 VLS cells, CAMM-MR missiles, a 76 mm gun and a 28-knot, 8,000-nautical-mile range.
Wicher will join navy in 2029, replacing Perry-class frigates, and will be followed by ORP Burza and ORP Huragan in 2030 and 2031.

Summary

Poland Expands Navy

The Miecznik programme, UK-Poland defence cooperation under the Northolt Treaty, began its second frigate in May 2025, the third in April 2026, and supports NATO’s new Baltic Sea operation to protect shipping lanes and energy infrastructure after cable sabotage.
MBDA says its missiles will help Poland protect sovereignty and will appear at the MSPO fair in September 2026.
Poland announced a 5 billion purchase of three A26 submarines from Sweden, deepening the Baltic alliance.

History

Historical Context

Poland’s 1999 NATO accession, after the 1997 invitation of former Warsaw Pact states, sparked the creation of the Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin that year and later the arrival of allied units in 2017. By 2019 roughly 5,000 NATO troops were stationed in Poland, reinforcing Baltic Sea security and enabling joint naval training with partners such as the United Kingdom.

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Poland Launches Frigate

Poland launched Miecznik-class frigate ORP Wicher in Gdynia on August 13, 2026.
President Karol Nawrocki and UK Defence Minister Lord Coaker christened the ship on August 12, 2026, while PLN 15 billion equips it with 32 Mk 41 VLS cells, CAMM-MR missiles, a 76 mm gun and a 28-knot, 8,000-nautical-mile range.
Wicher will join navy in 2029, replacing Perry-class frigates, and will be followed by ORP Burza and ORP Huragan in 2030 and 2031.

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