Albatros Mine Countermeasures Vessel Finally Stationed at Its Homebase in Gdynia

Albatros would soon undergo flag raising ceremony so that it becomes a full-fledged ORP (Warship of the Republic of Poland). The vessel is already wearing tactical designation number "602" and it would become a part of the inventory of the Fleet Admiral Andrzej Karweta 13th Minesweeper Squadron based in Gdynia, subordinated to the Rear Admiral Kazimierz Porębski 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla.

So far Albatros does not feature its 35 mm OSU-35K gun. Most probably this weapons system will be integrated onboard in the autumn.

After many years of preparatory and conceptual works, the agreement was signed on 23rd September 2013 to build the 258/1 prototype, with the optional procurement of two series-manufactured vessels. The prototype, named ORP Kormoran (601) was commissioned in the 13th Minesweeper Squadron in Gdynia - the flag-raising ceremony took place on 28th November 2017. A month later another agreement was signed, on the acquisition of two series-manufactured vessels, and a logistics support package for all three.

The original contract had a value of PLN 1.186 bn. (gross). It assumed that the 258/2 vessel would be handed off in February 2021, and 258/3 was scheduled for handover in December 2021. During the build process, several changes have been implemented, on the grounds of the prototype military test programme. As a result of the ongoing negotiation, another annex was signed, increasing the price of two series manufactured vessels by a gross amount of PLN 115 million (up to 1.39 bn. zlotys). Ultimately, the two vessels are handed off in August, and November this year. Back in June this year the MoD procured another three vessels, expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2027, with a price tag of almost PLN 2.5 bn. The series of minehunters is being built under the guidance of Remontowa Shipbuilding (consortium leader), with some input from OBR CTM S.A. in Gdynia, and the PGZ War Shipyard - also based in Gdynia.