Lockheed Martin Partners with Poland to Deliver MK 41 Vertical Launch Systems For Polish Navy

Defense News ,Poland :- Lockheed Martin and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) have joined forces to provide MK 41 Vertical Launch Systems for three new Polish Navy frigates. The agreement also includes obtaining Extensible Launch System modules for the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile family.

These missile systems, acquired through a Direct Commercial Sale, will be installed on Poland's upcoming MIECZNIK-class frigates, set to be in service by 2029. Each frigate will be equipped with four launchers containing eight chambers each.

The MK 41 VLS is widely used in NATO fleets and can be adapted to work with various missiles, such as the Evolved Sea Sparrow, Tomahawk Cruise Missile, Standard Missile 2, Standard Missile 3, Standard Missile 6, and Vertical Launch ASROC weapons.

The MIECZNIK-class frigate program, initiated under an 8-billion Polish zloty ($1.9-billion) contract in 2021, is a crucial part of Poland's efforts to modernize its naval capabilities. These frigates are designed to reach speeds exceeding 28 knots (32 miles/52 kilometers per hour) and cover an impressive endurance of 9,000 nautical miles (10,000 miles/17,000 kilometers). The first frigate of this class is currently under construction at the Polish Navy Shipyard in Gdynia, northern Poland.