The UK Government has welcomed deals between three of the UK’s largest defence contractors and the Polish Navy which will begin next phase of development of the Miecznik (“Swordfish” in Polish) frigates programme.

An agreement between MBDA UK and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) was signed this week.

This is the third of PGZ’s contracts with UK companies under the Miecznik programme, following agreements with Babcock and Thales UK.

The first of the three multi-mission frigates is expected to enter service in 2029.

The UK government has supported negotiations for a series of strategic agreements between three major UK defence companies and the Polish Armaments Group.

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE), part of the UK Department for Business and Trade, has been a key player in facilitating and securing these deals, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy.

The aim is to strengthen long-term economic and defence cooperation between the two countries and support the UK’s competitive export offer.

These agreements mean the frigates will be built in Poland with substantial transfers of technology and skills, boosting the economic security of a key NATO ally.

These agreements are also another example of the very close working relationship we have with our Polish counterparts, building on our progress in many areas of defence.

Each company plays a crucial role in the Polish frigate programme as a partner of the Miecznik consortium led by PGZ.

Through a design licence agreement for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, Babcock is the platform design provider and strategic technology partner.

The company is also a key part of the Programme Management Office which oversees design and construction of the ships.

Thales UK will equip the frigates with the TACTICOS combat management system, sensors and radars, while MBDA UK will provide its Sea Ceptor naval air defence system, which will be equipped with CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) family of missiles that have been recently procured by Poland for ground-based air defence.

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