Defend Fife

🇵🇱 PGZ Stocznia Wojenna launched Polish Navy's first Miecznik multi-role frigate, ORP Wicher, on August 13. @PGZ_pl @StoczniaWojenna @MarWojRP The vessel was lowered into the waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk using the semi-submersible barge BOA Barge 33. Once achieving full buoyancy, the hull was towed out of the barge marking the official launch of the vessel. The frigate will now return to the shipyard, for the next phase of construction - the outfitting and integration of systems. ORP Wicher is the first of the three next-generation multi-role frigates being built under the Polish Navy's PLN 15 billion Miecznik frigate programme. The frigates are based on the Arrowhead 140 design by Babcock International, derived from the Danish Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates. @Babcockplc The programme is being delivered by the PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium, formed by Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. and PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (PGZ Naval Shipyard). Each frigate will be nearly 140 metres long with a full-load displacement of approximately 7,000 tonnes. @PGZ_pl The three Wicher-class vessels - ORP Wicher, ORP Burza, and ORP Huragan - will replace ageing ships of the Polish naval fleet and provide capabilities to counter air, surface, and underwater threats, while protecting maritime routes and critical infrastructure. The programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2031. #PolishNavy #ORPWicher #Miecznik #StoczniaWojenna