By the end of the holiday, a immense hull hall will be put into service, which is being built in the PGZ of Gdynia Shipyard. It is 1 of the largest structures of this kind in Europe. Within a fewer weeks the installation of engines in the midship block of the first of the frigates of the kind Swordfish will begin there.
There were no specified structures in Polish shipyards. The hull hall, which stood on the site of the PGZ War Shipyard in Gdynia, has a surface area of 6,000 square meters and a tallness of 46 metres. All of this makes it 1 of the largest specified constructions in Europe. The interior of the building includes 2 cranes with a burden capacity of 1 100 tons and a 3rd capable of lifting a weight of up to 15 tons, as well as heating and ventilation, which enable painting work. There will be hulls in this facility soon. Swordfish frigate. Their individual elements are built by PGZ War Shipyard and Gdańsk Shipbuilding Repair Yard.
The building of the hall itself is coming to an end. – All we have left is finishing work and method receptions. The full should be completed by the end of the vacation – says Jerzy Lopatyński from the Gdynia shipyard. Then a block of the first of the future frigates will be introduced into the interior. In the coming weeks, the assembly of engines that have already passed the test at the maker will besides begin. “We are waiting for their delivery”, says Lopatyński.
Hull hall is not the only investment made with Swords in mind. Soon, the PGZ War Shipyard will besides be enriched with a modern production hall with an area of nearly 5,000 square meters. It'll have the hardware department. Shipyards will have locksmiths, as well as power hydraulics and shaft handling. This will take place in a four-storey administrative and office building, which will become a facility for production workers. The task office is besides to be located there. The cost of construction of fresh facilities exceeds PLN 300 million.
The Gdynia company thus importantly increases its capacity, but this is not surprising. Construction of rocket frigates The Swordfish is the largest investment in the past of the Polish shipbuilding industry. 3 modern ships will be created under the contract – ORP “Wicher”, ORP “Burza” and ORP “Hurgan”. They will be adapted to combat air threats, as well as submarines and submarines. They will be equipped between another MELARA Super fast Strales 76 mm cannon, 2 35-millimeter OSU-35K cannons and VLS Mk-41 rocket launchers. Command will facilitate the Tacticos system. The task of the Swords is based on solutions of the British company Babcock, which, however, have been adapted for the needs of the Polish navy. During the implementation of the contract, Polish shipyards cooperate closely with abroad partners. Among them was not only mentioned Babcock, but besides specified companies as Thales and MBDA.
Construction of the first frigate began in August 2023. January of this year a keel was placed under the ship. According to the agenda of the ORP “Wicher” is to be ready in 2026. Another 2 units should enter service in 2029 and 2031. All the Swordsmen will go to 3 Fleet Ships in Gdynia. In total, the State will pay for their construction of PLN 14.8 billion gross.
