Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1407425
thanks to this decision would make it possible to refine the avail- able systems for the industry. Some of the relevant projects within that scope involve Polish experts as well, both civilian, and military. Ratownik The program is aimed at replacing two Project 570 rescue vessels with a modern ship, and ships in the future. The purpose of the Ratownik-class vessels would be to provide rescue support for the submariners. Even though this task is crucial, it is not going to be the sole specialty of the vessel, which is going to have much broader capabilities. The ship is to play the role of underwater res- cue and engineering vessel of the Polish Navy. Its missions would also include supervision of the underwater infrastructure. Even though comparing the above to the programs mentioned earlier, the Ratownik acquisition has been a fresh initiative, the sto- ry is also colorful and full of failures. And there is a certain potential at hand, for further complications to happen. The signing of the first agreement (worth PLN 755 million), between the Armament Inspectorate and the PGZ Group, regarding the acquisition of the Kijanka/Project 207 Upgrade Kormoran-class MCMVs are very advanced, modern vessels. The above means they are also quite expensive to procure. For that reason, the necessity to fill in the gaps with the use of cheaper, and more numerous systems, cannot be avoided. Soon, this task would be assigned to some of the Project 207 vessels that have been or will be subjected to a limited upgrade program. The scope of that upgrade includes replacement of the propulsion system, modernization of sensors and effectors, and tailoring of the vessel to employ the Głuptak suicide UUVs, used in a role of mine countermeasure. The effort is to allow a couple of warships to stay relevant for several years. Ultimately an unmanned minehunting solution would act as a complementary platform, alongside the Kormoran II vessels. It is to be procured within the framework of the Kijanka program. Originally, 10 systems as such were to be acquired between 2017 and 2022. It was concluded, however, that the solutions available now are not sufficiently technologically mature. This pushed the Kijanka program down the timeline. The time gained NAVY