Underwater drones will come from Poland

polska-zbrojna.pl 1 month ago

Representatives of Gdańsk University of Technology, AGH and PGZ of War Shipyard present signed an agreement to make and manufacture autonomous submarines capable of working in a swarm. – Their task will be to protect, detect and counter threats in the maritime domain – said Maciej Samsonowicz, advisor to the national defence minister.

PGZ War Shipyard already has experience in cooperation with the Gdańsk University of Technology in the construction of drones, e.g. the unmanned vehicle Softtak.

Cooperation agreements on the improvement and production of autonomous underwater drones capable of working in the swarm were signed by prof. Krzysztof Wilde (rector of Gdańsk University of Technology), Dr Wojciech Chmiel (professor) University of discipline and Technology, coordinator of the Defence Cooperation Team), and Mr. Marcin Ryngwelski (president) PGZ War Shipyard). The ceremony was held as part of the PowerConnect Energy Summit in Gdańsk, where talks were held, among others, on the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

– I am very pleased that the agreement between the 2 universities within the Industrial Districts “Kashubia” and “Galicja” is present reflected in the signing of the letter of intent – said Maciej Samsonowicz. The advisor to the head of the MON stressed that for the ministry not only what is happening in the area of purchasing and business, but besides very crucial are initiatives related to research, development, creation of Polish defence solutions, which are later implemented by Polish entities. “This is an component of building technological sovereignty, safety of the supply chain,” added Samsonowicz.

RECLAMA

During the conference there was no announcement erstwhile precisely Polish submarines capable of working in a swarm will be created and how much specified a task will cost. However, the advisor to the head of the MON expressed hope that thanks to the engagement of the business side (PGZ Shipyard), the military would be able to "in two, three, possibly 4 years" get the product ready for testing, evaluation and possible implementation. He added that the ministry is not only curious in creating a product ready to be ordered by the Armed Forces Agency, but besides in training Polish personnel – young engineers, who will make their capabilities on specified projects.

– Among another things, the Industrial Districts "Kashubia", "Galicja", which are an industrial-technology base, a skeleton on which the opposition of the state is built and the ability to conduct effective defence and deterrence in today's planet – said General Krzysztof Król from the General Staff of the Polish Army. – Future wars will not be won by those with the largest army, but those who are able to change as shortly as possible and introduce the latest technologies," added the general.

In a akin tone, the president of the PGZ War Shipyard spoke, who already has experience in cooperation with the Gdańsk University of Technology concerning, for example, creation of Unmanned vehicle Silly, utilized on Kormoran II mine ships. The shipyard besides participates in many joint projects with AGH. “We are building submarines, the Swedish partner has identified us as a key shipyard to keep submarines (it means Orca programme – ed.), and the next business line, which I see now, are unmanned systems – said president Marcin Ryngwelski.

Jakub Zagalski

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