ORP Kujawiak

ORP Kujawiak was a Polish submarine that served as part of the Navy during the Cold War. It was originally known as the Soviet M-245. With a surface displacement of 283 tons and 353 tons underwater, it was one of six Type M submarines acquired by Poland. The vessel could reach speeds of over 15 knots on the surface and had a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 8 knots. Launched in 1949 in Leningrad, it was commissioned into the Soviet fleet before being leased to Poland in 1955. The submarine, which had multiple hull numbers, underwent intensive use before finally being decommissioned in 1966 and sunk as a target ship. Kujawiak was an example of a small, one-and-a-half-hulled submarine designed for operations in coastal waters. Built according to a design that initiated the development of a series of small submarines in the USSR, it featured modern technical solutions for its time, such as four 533 mm torpedo tubes and diesel-electric engines. Its armament also included a 45 mm gun, which was later removed. During its service, the submarine participated in various naval exercises and operations, and its crew honed their skills in cooperation with aviation and reconnaissance activities. After being decommissioned, it was intended to serve educational purposes but was eventually sunk in the Puck Bay. Interestingly, it was originally planned to be used as a "training aid" for the Naval Academy. This story reflects not only military achievements but also the military cooperation between Poland and the USSR during the challenging times of the Cold War.