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Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.
Poland has launched its first signals intelligence (SIGINT) ship, one of two ordered from Swedish defence firm Saab and constructed in the Polish port of Gdańsk. The vessels will strengthen naval intelligence capabilities, including the interception and analysis of electronic signals from other ships.
The new vessel – named ORP Jerzy Różycki in honour of the Polish mathematician and cryptologist who, before and during World War Two, worked on cracking the German Enigma code – was launched on Tuesday in Gdańsk.
“This is a significant strengthening of the Polish navy’s capabilities,” declared Polish defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. “It will enable more effective acquisition of reconnaissance data and countering threats in the Baltic Sea.”
“ORP Jerzy Różycki will be an important element of security operations and support missions…to counter acts of sabotage and security breaches by Russia,” he added.
Historyczna chwila❗️Na terenie Stoczni #RSB w Gdańsku odbyła się uroczystość chrztu i wodowania pierwszej jednostki powstałej w ramach programu „Delfin". Nadano jej imię Jerzy Różycki, na cześć wybitnego matematyka i kryptologa, który przyczynił się do rozpracowania Enigmy.
📷3FO pic.twitter.com/NlVEz9X4Jw— Marynarka Wojenna RP/ Polish Navy (@MarWojRP) July 1, 2025
During the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the Baltic Sea has become a zone of strategic concern, with vessels from the Russian “shadow fleet” – a term used to describe ships that the Kremlin operates using concealing tactics in order to evade sanctions – suspected of conducting sabotage in the area.
In May, Poland’s military intervened after a Russian ship was seen acting “suspiciously” near an undersea electricity cable in the Baltic Sea. The Polish defence ministry noted at the time that it had carried out “effective deterrence” against the ship and planned to inspect the seabed.
Meanwhile, in January, NATO launched a new military mission to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, an idea that was proposed by Poland last year in the wake of sabotage targeting undersea energy and communication cables.
To address such threats, Poland signed a contract for the two spy vessels with Saab in 2022. Construction of the first began the following year, with work subcontracted to Poland’s Remontowa Shipbuilding. Saab itself then completed the delivery and integration of advanced mission systems.
The second ship, ORP Henryk Zygalski – named after another Enigma-cracking Polish cryptologist – is expected to be completed by June 2027.
The two ships “will become the ears and eyes of our Navy,” said Dariusz Jaguszewski, president of Remontowa Shipbuilding, quoted by broadcaster TVN.
Poland identified a ship from Russia's "shadow fleet" performing suspicious manoeuvres” near an undersea power cable in the Baltic Sea.
The Polish defence ministry says it carried out “effective deterrence” against the ship and will now inspect the seabed https://t.co/gyWg2oe3Lp
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) May 21, 2025
Yesterday’s launch was also attended by Swedish deputy defence minister Peter Sandwall. “Sweden needs Poland. It is about security, but also about a common vision of the threats in the Baltic. And that is why we are building the capabilities of our navies together,” he declared.
Last year, Poland and Sweden signed a strategic partnership to enhance cooperation on defence, economic development and support for Ukraine, as well as bolster security around the Baltic Sea and NATO’s eastern flank in response to Russian aggression
“This project is an example of how countries around the Baltic Sea, with similar needs and experiences, can work together to develop solutions that benefit us all,” said Micael Johansson, Saab’s CEO, referring to the new spy ship.
“It is an example of the advanced technology and capabilities that are necessary for Europe to face new threats and ensure the safety of its citizens,” he added.
NATO has launched a new military operation in the Baltic Sea, an idea promoted by Poland last year in response to sabotage targeting undersea cables.@donaldtusk said at today's summit that "all signs point to Russia" being responsible for the damage https://t.co/cBPdL1fKkK
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) January 14, 2025
Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.
Main image credit: MON (under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 PL)
Agata Pyka is an Assistant Editor at Notes from Poland. She specialises in Central and Eastern European affairs, cybersecurity, and investigative reporting. She holds a master’s degree in political communication from the University of Amsterdam, and her work has appeared in Euractiv, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), and The European Correspondent, among others.
