ORP Sokol

ORP Sokół (294) is a Kobben-class submarine, previously known as KNM Stord (S-308), built in 1966 at the Nordseewerke shipyard in Germany. After 34 years of service in the Royal Norwegian Navy, it was transferred to Poland in 2002, where it served until 2018. The submarine, constructed from magnetic steel, was designed for deeper dives, and its design was a modification of the German Type 205. ORP Sokół traveled nearly 26,000 nautical miles and, during its 16 years of service, earned the title of "Leading Ship of the 3rd Ship Flotilla." After being decommissioned, the Polish Navy Museum in Gdynia plans to transform Sokół into a museum ship. In 2020, agreements were signed to prepare the submarine for exhibition, including conservation and the removal of some systems. The museum building will gain a new tourist attraction, and the submarine will be positioned in a unique way, partially covered with glass, allowing visitors to view it from the inside as well. ORP Sokół is scheduled to be open to the public in the summer season of 2024, marking a significant cultural event that highlights the vessel's historical importance and its role in the Polish Navy.