David Lockwood, Chief Executive Officer, of Babcock International, the aerospace, defence and security company has led a series of meetings in Greece with key industry figures, Government officials and supply chain companies as Babcock continues to build international interest in its Arrowhead 140 general purpose frigate and bid to deliver the Hellenic Navy’s new frigate modernisation programme.
A comprehensive programme of discussions were undertaken as Babcock reinforced the strengths of the offer made by the company and the UK Government to provide the Hellenic Navy with a Hydra Class upgrade programme, an interim frigate capability and four Babcock Arrowhead 140 frigates. The Arrowhead 140 has already been chosen by the UK Royal Navy for its Type 31 future frigate programme.
The company is committed to supporting Greek industry to build and assemble the new frigates in Greece, reinvigorating the domestic supply chain, upgrading infrastructure, modernising domestic facilities, upskilling and growing local workforces and transferring knowledge and technology.
Babcock officials have also been engaging with Greece-based companies interested in being part of its in-country supply chain and recently held a live online event in Athens, under the auspices of the Hellenic MoD Armaments Directorate.
This follows on from previous discussions held in Greece between British Government Officials, Babcock and the Hellenic Navy which included visits to both Greek shipyards.
David Lockwood, Chief Executive Officer, Babcock said:
“Our proposals provide the very real potential to deliver to the Hellenic Navy a world-class, highly-capable modern frigate, a cost-effective Hydra Class frigate modernisation programme and the opportunity to reinvigorate the Greek shipbuilding industry with significant and far reaching benefits for the Greek supply chain and defence industries.
“The Arrowhead 140 frigate will deliver a proven and adaptable warship, which is ready for an in-country build programme. With growing interest in the platform, the Arrowhead 140 provides the opportunity to further strengthen ties between international navies, deliver the highest levels of maritime national security while providing the opportunity for interoperability with NATO allies.
“Our proposed solution for the Hellenic Navy also brings wider European expertise and experience from our partners in the programme. Our colleagues in Thales, who will provide the Combat Management System for the Arrowhead 140s, will also support the MEKO 200 Hydra Class upgrades delivering commonality of systems from the current frigate fleet to the new fleet of Arrowhead 140s.
“We would be honoured to work with the Greek Government and the Hellenic Navy to deliver these highly strategically important programmes, while capitalising upon the wealth of Greek defence capabilities and contributing directly to the economic growth of Greece.”
The Arrowhead 140
The Arrowhead 140 design benefits from its proven hull-form that has been tried and tested in real-world operational environments from NATO and coalition task forces, to national, regional and deployed operations. Babcock’s offering provides an efficient and highly effective optimal design with the scope to adapt to specific operational and lay-out requirements.
The platform’s heritage and clever design enhancements enable improved warship capability whilst retaining it proven strengths. International customers also benefit from the design being chosen for the next generation of UK Royal Navy Type 31 frigates through known costs for design and build delivery.
The frigate’s smart build credentials mean that it is primed for pre-outfitting with open compartments allowing for rapid assembly, supporting time and cost reduction efficiencies for entry into service.
This is a modular build, which Babcock, as part of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, has proven effective through the construction of the UK Royal Navy’s Aircraft Carriers - assembled at its facility in Rosyth, Scotland, which is also the site for construction of the UK’s Type 31 frigates.
This approach optimises the buildability of the ships from design, assuring the effective transfer of a UK design to global shipyards for efficient manufacture and assembly and de-risking the build programme while delivering wider national and regional prosperity.
