The Polish Navy has taken a major step forward with the launch of the minehunter Rybitwa, marking a notable advancement in its maritime capabilities. The ceremony, held on March 19, 2025, at Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdańsk, saw the Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, PGZ), its subsidiary PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, and the Research and Development Centre of Maritime Technology (OBR CTM) come together to sign a cooperation agreement with Remontowa Shipbuilding for the future export of their Kormoran II-class vessels.
During the celebration, Jan Grabowski, a member of the management board of PGZ, expressed pride in the Kormoran series, stating, "Kormorans are the most numerous ship series that our industry has been building since the Project 207 minesweepers." This highlights the significance of the Kormoran II-class vessels not only within the Polish Navy but also as a showcase of Polish naval engineering.
The Kormoran II-class vessels are designed for mine warfare operations. Their multifaceted capabilities allow them to search, identify, classify, and destroy sea mines. They also guide vessels through mined areas, lay mines, and serve as a platform for controlling unmanned mine countermeasures. As tensions in the Baltic region remain high, these ships are poised to enhance the operational readiness of the Polish Navy.
Rybitwa holds the distinction of being the fifth Kormoran II (Project 258) mine-countermeasures vessel (MCMV) launched for the Polish Navy. This launched vessel is part of a strategic effort to replace the aging fleet of 1960s-era Project 206FM mine-warfare vessels, which include the ORP Czajka, ORP Flaming, and ORP Mewa, all of which were decommissioned between 2019 and 2021.
The ceremony in Gdańsk is also crucial for cementing international partnerships in naval defense. PGZ and its subsidiaries are optimistic about expanding to global markets, as noted by Grabowski. He emphasized the potential for "other naval forces to also have the opportunity to serve on ships that are the result of the work of Polish shipbuilding thought." This spirit of collaboration between state and private sectors aims not only at enhancing the Polish Navy's capacity but also at opening new avenues for export.
The Rybitwa and its sister ships Jaskółka (604) and Czajka (606) are being developed under a Batch 2 contract awarded in June 2022. For context, Jaskółka was launched in June 2024 and is scheduled for delivery in 2026. The first three Kormoran vessels, ORP Kormoran (601), ORP Albatros (602), and ORP Mewa (603), were commissioned into service between 2017 and 2023, laying the groundwork for the capabilities and performance expected from the new vessels.
As emphasized during the launch event, there is a strong desire to capitalize on the expertise and technology that has been nurtured within Polish shipbuilding. The collaboration with Remontowa Shipbuilding underscores a collective vision to position Poland as a significant player in the defense industry, especially in maritime engagements.
Overall, the launch of Rybitwa, while a significant milestone, represents merely the beginning of an extensive modernization for the Polish Navy. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the enhancement of the Navy’s mine-countermeasure capabilities will be increasingly crucial in ensuring national security and regional stability.
