UK-based defence company Babcock announced on 7 September that it had secured a further two contracts relating to Poland’s MIECZNIK frigate programme.
The Class Design Contract and the Transfer of Knowledge & Skills (TOKAT) framework agreement respectively support the further development of the programme and the enhancement of shipbuilding capability in Poland to deliver MIECZNIK to schedule.
The company said that the two contracts underpin the strong economic and trade relations between the United Kingdom and Poland.
Earlier this year Babcock was chosen as the platform design provider and technology partner for Poland’s new frigate programme.
Babcock is supporting the PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium for three Arrowhead 140 frigates to be built in Polish shipyards by a local workforce, drawing significantly from Polish suppliers and Babcock’s global supply chain.
Babcock CEO David Lockwood said:
“I am delighted with the progress on the Polish MIECZNIK programme. Our work in Poland builds on the shared interests of the NATO countries. Babcock will deliver first-class frigates that will contribute significantly to the sovereign defence capability in Poland.”
“We look forward to building on our close working relationship with the PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium.”
Arrowhead 140 (Type 31 Frigate)
| Type: | General purpose frigate |
| Country of origin: | United Kingdom |
| Builder: | Babcock International |
| In service: | 2027 |
| Operators: | Royal Navy, Indonesian Navy, Polish Navy |
| Displacement: | 6000+ tonnes |
| Length: | 138.7 m |
| Beam: | 19.8 m |
| Draught: | 5.0 m |
| Complement: | 80-100 (accommodation for up to 160) |
| Armament: | Guns: 1 × 57 mm Mk 110 main gun; 2 × 40 mm Mk 4 guns; 4 × 7.62 mm General purpose machine guns; 4 × 7.62 mm Miniguns; Missiles: 24 cells VLS Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles; Mark 41 VLS for Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon |
| Systems: | TACTICOS combat management system; Thales NS110 3D or NS200 active electronically scanned array sensor; Terma Scanter and Raytheon NSX navigation radars; Viasat Ultrahigh-frequency satellite communications |
| Power: | 4 × Rolls Royce/MTU 20V 8000 M71 (8.2 MW) diesel engines; 4 × Rolls Royce/MTU 16V 2000 M41B (900 kW) generators |
| Propulsion: | CODAD propulsion System; MAN Alpha VBS Mk 5 CP propeller; 2 Shafts |
| Range: | 9,000 nmi (17,000 km) |
| Speed: | 28+ kn |
