Thales : MIECZNIK frigate float-off marks new milestone in UK–Poland industrial partnership

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MIECZNIK frigate float-off marks new milestone in UK-Poland industrial partnership Group Share options Facebook X Whatsapp Linkedin Email URL copied to clipboard © PGZ Type Insight Published 12 Aug 2026 On 12 August, senior representatives from the UK, the Netherlands and the Polish Government, the Royal Navy, and key industry partners gathered at the Gdynia shipyard to mark an important milestone in the MIECZNIK programme - the naming and christening of the first frigate, before its launch on August 13. The event highlighted the momentum behind this complex first-of-class build for the Polish Navy. Poland is constructing the frigates domestically through the PGZ-MIECZNIK consortium, with partners including Thales, Babcock and MBDA. Discover how this partnership is delivering advanced frigates while also supporting local capabilities. With rapid developments across all military domains, industrial collaboration is more important than ever. Strengthening European defence alliances International economic partnerships help ensure geopolitical stability-something Europe learned post-WWII through the European Coal and Steel Community, which later became the European Union. Today, industrial ties remain essential to strengthening alliances and military capability. The recent UK-Poland defence treaty underlines that commitment, as Poland ramps up defence spending to the highest NATO GDP share, expanding its forces and capabilities by drawing on the expertise of its allies. The MIECZNIK programme Launched in 2021, the MIECZNIK programme for the Polish navy lies at the heart of military and industrial collaboration initiated by the country. The programme covers the construction of three advanced multi-purpose frigates , built through a partnership between Poland, the United Kingdom and continental Europe . Poland chose not to outsource the production of this capability. The frigates are being built in the Gdynia shipyard in Poland, led by the PGZ-MIECZNIK consortium, with international partners including Thales, Babcock and MBDA contributing proven designs, systems and know-how. This approach helps Poland compress timelines, manage risk, and develop and upskill the local workforce-building the skills and industrial depth needed to own and sustain the capability long term. Interoperability as a strategic choice The UK defence industry, supported by sustained government-to-government collaboration, proposed the Arrowhead 140 design-an export-ready, multi-mission frigate developed by Babcock and adapted to Polish requirements. It provides a mature, flexible foundation that can be transferred, tailored and built locally, enabling structured technical exchange and long-term industrial partnerships. The Miecznik frigates will strengthen national defence and maritime security in the Baltic Sea and support NATO's collective defence. NATO-proven architectures and mission systems will enable seamless operational collaboration, delivering shared situational awareness, faster decision-making and greater mission effectiveness. The Miecznik programme is a fantastic example of how defence cooperation between allies can deliver real capability. It brings together expertise from the United Kingdom and Poland to help address today's evolving security challenges. Lord Coaker - UK Minister of State for Defence A blueprint for international defence strategy As European nations invest in sovereignty-balancing local priorities with international partnerships-Poland's MIECZNIK approach offers a compelling model. Building on foundational collaboration between the UK, the Netherlands, France, Romania and Poland, the programme demonstrates how trusted allied cooperation and European industrial collaboration can deliver capability while strengthening domestic resilience. Thales teams across Europe are supporting the delivery of sensors and systems and providing knowledge and technology transfers to Poland, equipping the ships for a broad range of missions. This includes participation in international fleets, which is enabled by the TACTICOS Combat Management System developed by Thales in the Netherlands. Thales representatives at the event in Gdynia. © Thales Reinforcing partnership beyond the frigate This wider UK-Poland defence relationship is also reflected in programmes such as CAMM-MR , highlighting the fulfilment of the potential of Sea Ceptor (MIECZNIK) and NAREW -that are supporting Polish sovereignty and industry. From the outset, MIECZNIK was about more than delivering a world-leading combat system. It was about helping Poland build the skills and industrial depth to own and sustain this capability for the long term. With the support of the UK and Polish governments, we were able to bring proven technology into Poland while working side-by-side with Polish industry to embed that expertise locally. Francesco Da Re - Programme Director for MIECZNIK at Thales Latest News Artificial intelligence AI on the front line: revolutionising military Command and Control Insight 22 July 2026 Read more Group "The frontline is now where drones can see the enemy" Insight 12 June 2026 Read more Group Interoperability by design: how Thales delivers solutions for deployable networks and defence cloud in coalition Insight 05 June 2026 Read more Group Vision4Rescue deployed by Paris Fire Brigade in major nighttime exercise Insight 29 Apr 2026 Read more Group Network hybridisation: a new key to military technological superiority Insight 27 Apr 2026 Read more Group "ReArm Europe is as much about producing more as it is about ensuring long-term operational effectiveness" Insight 01 Apr 2026 Read more Artificial intelligence AI in Defence: Reconciling Sovereignty and Exportability Insight 18 Feb 2026 Read more Group "A cloud-enabled, digitally resilient Europe transforms the protection of its citizens, infrastructure and strategic interests" Insight 02 Feb 2026 Read more Group "As the digital world accelerates, security must stay one step ahead": Interview with Philippe Vallée Insight 28 Jan 2026 Read more

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