Poland has signed a contract worth over €230 million for the construction of a new ship designed for naval rescue missions in the Baltic Sea.

The 100-meter-long vessel, dubbed ‘Ratownik’ (Rescuer), will have the capability to assist surface ships as well as submarines, and will support both military and civilian operations, according to Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said: “The ‘Ratownik’ ship will be used by the navy to ensure the safety of all maritime forces operating on the Baltic Sea… as well as to assist civilian ships should the need arise.”

The agreement was signed between the Polish Armaments Group – the country’s largest defense firm – and the Ministry of National Defense’s Armaments Agency.

The deal is linked to Poland’s plan to acquire new submarines for its navy as part of the ‘Orka’ program.

Kosiniak-Kamysz said that before submarines can be built, a rescue ship is needed to test and service them, adding: “We will be the ones who transform words into actions.”

Poland has increased defense spending in recent years amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and increasing geopolitical tensions, with more than 130 contracts worth over 150 billion złoty (€35 billion) having been signed last year, according to the defense minister.

Emphasizing the importance of investing in security, Kosiniak-Kamysz also highlighted other recent incidents, such as the suspected sabotage of undersea power cables between Estonia and Finland in the Baltic Sea.

The Ratownik will be operated by over 100 crew members and is planned to be capable of rescue missions at depths of up to 200 meters.

Construction on the ship is to begin next year and is scheduled to be completed by 2029.