The Diplomat
The bid submitted by Navantia to the Polish Ministry of Defence to build three frigates through Transfer of Technology (ToT) has been selected on a ‘short list’ along with two other finalists, the Spanish company announced.
Navantia will now participate in the feasibility phase, in which it will submit a proposal adjusting the submitted design to the requirements of the Directorate of Material of the Polish Ministry of Defence. The final decision on the contractor is expected in 2022.
The bid submitted by Navantia is based on the F-100 design, in service for the Spanish Navy, which has been the starting point for successful export contracts to Norway and Australia.
The Miecznik programme launched by the Polish government envisages the construction of three multi-mission frigates at the local PGZ shipyard through a Technology Transfer (ToT) contract with an international company, a business model in which Navantia has solid experience.
Navantia considers that it has long experience in the design and construction of a wide range of frigates, with proven flexibility, therefore, to adapt to the needs of the Polish Navy.
It has also demonstrated the ability to efficiently execute various technology transfer models that have enabled the local development of shipbuilding and life-cycle support capabilities. This is a high added value business model in which Navantia has success stories through its contracts in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Australia.
“Navantia is ready to have a real presence in Poland and thus contribute to the construction and maintenance of ships. We are proud to be able to offer the Polish Navy a model of collaboration that has proven to be beneficial both for us and for our partners, and which will allow Poland, a friendly and allied country, to provide itself with a technologically advanced naval defence capability that has been proven both in Spain and with other international clients,” said Navantia’s Commercial and Business Development Director, Javier Herrador.
The Miecznik frigate construction programme is part of an ambitious plan launched by the Polish government to modernise its Armed Forces with an investment of 115,000 million euros until 2035.
