The decision is the result of the documents signature enabling it to launch the procedure. The programme acceleration had already been signaled on the 22nd of February, when the Minister of Defense Mr Mariusz Błaszczak gave the programme priority. It was connected with the negotiation issues with Sweden concerning the used submarines purchase A17 class, which were supposed to be a bridge solution to launch the Orka programme.
Among the entities interested in the initiative participation are ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Naval Group, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin or Babcock International. In December 2018 the Armament Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense issued the invitation to Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. to join the terms of order negotiations – which was cancelled in 2019 without giving a formal reason.
In November last year, the Armament Inspectorate informed that appropriate recommendations were worked out to acquire the Miecznik vessels and were presented to the Minister Błaszczak. The present minister’s decision may indicate that they were approved and that the next stage of the programme has been launched. The vessels are to replace a two frigate class Oliver Hazard Perry vessels which were donated by the US government between 2000 and 2002.
By Defence Industry News (Photo: Polish Navy)