The overall aim of the contract is to provide the warships with multiple tools for detection, identification, command and control and decision-making
Thales has signed a contract with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) to equip the Polish Navy’s Miecznik frigates with its TACTICOS integrated combat management system (CMS), sonars, air-surveillance and fire-control radars and 360° infrared sensor.
The contract aims to provide the warships with multiple detection, identification, command and control, and decision-making tools. It results from a Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed in 2022 by Thales, PGZ and PGZ SW and will allow the PGZ-Miecznik Consortium to deliver frigates with the expected multirole capabilities. The first ship is expected to enter service in 2029.
As for the systems, TACTICOS will be the central command and decision-making. Its function and performance – supporting sensor control, picture compilation, situation assessment, action support and weapon control – are critical to the operational effectiveness of a naval vessel.
Meanwhile, the complete Thales sonar suite, comprising the BlueHunter hull-mounted sonar and the Captas-2 towed-array sonar, will provide a multi-sensor assessment of the overall underwater situation.
In addition, Thales will provide two highly complementary radars, the SM400 Block 2 and the NS50. The SM400, a multifunction S-Band radar, is designed to simultaneously provide long-range air and surface surveillance, helicopter control, and weapon control functions at a range of up to 400 km.
On the other end, the NS50 radar, together with the TSA 6000 IFF1 interrogator, provides an additional layer of protection thanks to superior air and surface detection, tracking and classification. The frigates will also be equipped with ARTEMIS, a 360° naval infrared search and track system, and the STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 fire control radar.
With the UK Government’s support and working with Babcock and MBDA, Thales will put critical learnings from the Type 31 programme in the UK into good use to reduce risk and ease the path to vessel acceptance. Moreover, Thales will contribute to consolidating Poland’s local defence industry by working with the PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium and other Polish industry actors.
“The contract provides a solid foundation for joint endeavour, and the tremendous value that can be achieved through collaboration is a key aspect of strategic partnership. Therefore, a set of selected sensors and effectors will be integrated with TACTICOS CMS independently by PGZ thanks to the knowledge transfer from Thales”, said Cezary Cierzan, Department of Maritime Technologies Director at PGZ.
“Our relationship with the Polish Navy dates back many years, and we are proud that we have been selected for this major programme after 2 years of developing the solution with PGZ. We look forward to bringing Thales engineering and technology on board these ships and working with Polish industry to support the Polish Navy”, Dirk Jan de Bruijn, Vice President Above Water Systems at Thales.
