November 20, 2017

The Polish Navy’s first Kormorant II-class minehunter ORP ‘Kormoran’ has passed all state and builder’s trials and was officially transferred to the navy on November 17.

According to a navy announcement, the minehunter is now set to be commissioned in Gdynia on November 28, on the day of the Polish Navy anniversary.

Built by Remontowa Shipbuilding, ORP Kormoran (hull number 601) is the first of proposed three vessels in her class. Construction of Kormoran’s two sister ships is yet to start.

The 58.5 meter long minehunter started construction in April 2014 and was launched on September 4, 2015.

With a complement of 45 personnel and a top speed of 15 knots, ORP Kormoran will be used to clear mines in Poland’s exclusive economic zone in addition to joining NATO’s mine countermeasure groups in the Baltic and North Sea.

The non-magnetic steel-hulled ORP Kormoran displaces 850 tons, features the locally-developed SCOT-M combat management system and is equipped with Saab’s Double Eagle Mk III remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The ship is armed with a twin-barreled auto-cannon in addition to machine guns and rocket launchers. The ship is expected to be fitted Polish-made Tryton 35 mm cannon instead of the 23 mm auto-cannon.