Poland doubles Kormoran minehunter fleet
Kormoran II minesweepers (such as the first-in-class ORP Kormoran, pictured) are being constructed by the Polish shipbuilding industry, with three more to come. (Photo: Remontowa Shipbuilding)
Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Blaszczak announced on 15 March that a contract for three more Kormoran II-class minehunters for the Polish Navy will be signed before the end of June 2022.
The cost of this procurement remains undisclosed but Shephard Defence Insight calculates a unit cost of $85.5 million per new Kormoran II vessel. This amount, apart from the production and equipment itself, includes R&D costs, crew training and logistics.
The Polish Ministry of National Defence has given no further details about the contracting process for the three new minehunters although Shephard Defence Insight forecasts deliveries in 2025,
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
-
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
-
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
-
Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.