Cooperation between Gdańsk Tech and the Ministry of National Defence within the Offset Program for the Polish Navy

On Tuesday, August 17, 2021, Gdańsk Tech was visited by Colonel Robert Frommholz, Director of the Office for Offset Agreements at the Ministry of National Defence, and Colonel Michał Hresiukiewicz, Legal Adviser at the Office for Offset Agreements at the Ministry of National Defence. During their visit to Gdańsk Tech, they met, among others, with the university authorities, the management of the Maritime Military Technologies Center at Gdańsk Tech, and representatives of the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics at Gdańsk Tech.

The visit concerned the implementation of commitments of the Maritime Military Technologies Center of Gdańsk Tech as one of the two beneficiaries of the offset related to the procurement by the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Poland of four AW101 Merlin anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopters. The agreement regarding this was signed between the authorities of Gdańsk Tech and the CMTM with the Ministry of National Defence in January 2020 (more information).

The Ministry of National Defence delegation at Gdańsk Tech was hosted by Prof. Marek Dzida, Vice-Rector for Education. The CMTM at Gdańsk Tech was represented by the center director, Eng. Andrzej Ogonowski, MSc Eng. Iwona Małecka (Deputy Director), and MSc Eng. Paweł Zariczny. Representatives of the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics at Gdańsk Tech also participated: MSc Eng. Zenon Filipiak (Administrative Director of the Faculty) and representatives of the Hydroacoustics Team of CMTM at Gdańsk Tech (the direct beneficiary of the offset): Prof. Jacek Marszal (Head of the Department of Sonar Systems and Head of the Hydroacoustics Team at CMTM Gdańsk Tech), MSc Eng. Mariusz Rudnicki, and PhD Eng. Zawisza Ostrowski.

During the first part of the visit, Gdańsk Tech representatives discussed with the delegation members the ongoing and completed research projects by Gdańsk Tech scientists in the area of national defence, whose final positive outcomes have gained recognition among foreign partners and resulted in obtaining the aforementioned offset. Subsequently, the Ministry of National Defence delegation, accompanied by the meeting organizers, proceeded to the building designated to be adapted for the implementation of this offset.

Leading the Ministry of National Defence delegation, Colonel Robert Frommholz highly praised the activities of CMTM Gdańsk Tech related to establishing maintenance capabilities for the sonars of the AW101 ASW helicopters within the framework of the offset. After reviewing the progress of works, including the adaptation of the necessary construction infrastructure, he expressed confidence that despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 situation, the technical facilities supporting the maintenance of the newly acquired helicopters in technical readiness will be established at CMTM Gdańsk Tech in accordance with the planned schedule.

Professor Jacek Marszal emphasized that thanks to the obtained offset, the Hydroacoustics Team at CMTM has acquired competencies to train operators and service sonar systems by THALES DMS, installed on the helicopters of the Polish Navy.

– We hope that CMTM Gdańsk Tech will also participate in other defence-related projects, including those associated with the construction of Miecznik-class frigates and the acquisition of multi-role naval helicopters for the Navy – said Andrzej Ogonowski, Director of CMTM Gdańsk Tech.

The visit was summarized in the Conference Hall of the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Informatics and concluded with a group photo in front of its building.