Poland begins construction of final Kormoran II-class minehunter ORP Czajka in Gdansk.

According to information published by the Polish MoD on October 15, 2024, a ceremonial steel-cutting event took place at the Gdańsk Shipyard, marking the beginning of construction on the sixth and final modern mine countermeasures vessel from the KORMORAN II project, designated as Project 258.
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Steel-cutting ceremony of the Kormoran II-class minehunter ORP Czajka. (Picture source: Polish MoD)

The Kormoran II-class is a modern mine countermeasure vessel (MCMV) developed for the Polish Navy as part of a naval modernization program aimed at enhancing maritime security, particularly in the Baltic Sea. These ships are primarily designed to detect, classify, and neutralize sea mines. Additionally, they can guide other ships through mine-threatened waters and conduct reconnaissance operations.

The Kormoran II vessels feature non-magnetic steel hulls to reduce their vulnerability to magnetic mines. Each ship measures approximately 58.5 meters in length, displaces around 850 tons, and can reach speeds of up to 15 knots. Their design incorporates stealth features to minimize radar detection, and they are equipped with advanced systems such as SHL-101/TM and SHL-300 sonars, as well as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) like the Saab Double Eagle for mine-hunting operations. The class also uses the Polish-made OSU-35K naval gun for self-defense.

The lead ship, ORP Kormoran, was commissioned in 2017, followed by ORP Albatros in 2022 and ORP Mewa in 2023. These ships are built by a consortium led by Remontowa Shipbuilding and PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, with plans to expand the class to six vessels by 2027.

Polish Navy

The Polish Navy is undergoing a substantial transformation as part of the country's broader military modernization efforts, but it faces several key challenges. A major hurdle is the aging of its fleet, which is currently in a state of transition. The modernization programs, such as the Miecznik frigate and Orka submarine projects, are intended to address this, but there remains a significant gap between the retirement of older vessels and the operational readiness of new platforms.

For example, Poland’s outdated Kobben-class submarines have been retired, and the Orka submarine program, which seeks to acquire modern ocean-going submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion and long-range missiles, has been delayed several times. These delays risk a near-term capability gap until new vessels become operational.

The shift from a littoral (Baltic Sea) focus to a more oceangoing "blue-water" navy is another significant challenge. This transformation reflects Poland’s changing security environment and growing international responsibilities, such as securing energy supply routes and managing long-range maritime logistics. However, this change demands a large investment in new ships, infrastructure, and training, adding to the financial and logistical pressures on the Navy​.