ORP Wicher christened as part of Poland's Miecznik naval program

The first of three missile frigates under Poland’s Miecznik program, named ORP Wicher, has undergone its christening ceremony at the PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in Gdynia. The vessel is based on the British Arrowhead 140 design, developed in collaboration with Babcock, and is part of a major investment intended to strengthen Poland’s presence and deterrence in the Baltic Sea.

The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including President Karol Nawrocki, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. The 6,000-ton hull is scheduled for launching on August 13 in the Gulf of Gdańsk using a semi-submersible barge.

While the event highlighted a significant milestone in Polish naval modernization, it also drew social media attention due to a recorded interaction between Prime Minister Tusk and President Nawrocki, which some observers characterized as undiplomatic.