The international defense company Babcock has been awarded two other contracts related to the Polish frigate program MIECZNIK (Swordfish).
The Class Design Contract and the Transfer of Knowledge and Skills (TOKAT) Framework Agreement respectively support the further development of the programme and the enhancement of Polish shipbuilding capacity to deliver MIECZNIK on schedule. These two contracts cement the strong economic and trade relationship between the UK and Poland.
Earlier this year, Babcock was selected as the platform design provider and technology partner for the new frigate project in Poland. Babcock is supporting the PGZ-MIECZNIK consortium in the construction of three Arrowhead 140 frigates at Polish shipyards by local labor, with a large number from Polish suppliers and Babcock’s global supply chain.
The MIECZNIK program is an important addition to Babcock’s established support for international defense customers around the world and its continued international growth ambitions.
The class design contract is key to supporting the maturity of the MIECZNIK frigate and providing the design documentation package to Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ SA) for submission to the class society. This critical and timely process in the contract will drive the next phase of the engineering process and support the planned realization of cut steel for Ship 1 in 2023.
Under the TOKAT framework contract, Babcock will share its technology, engineering expertise and industry knowledge with PGZ SA, PGZ SW and Remontowa Ship Building with the aim of transforming their shipyard and providing the MIECZNIK programme for the Polish Navy. The collaboration will include human resource development and employee training, infrastructure upgrade planning support, and implementation of tools and technologies.
Babcock announced its MIECZNIK frigate project contract during the 30th international defense industry event MSPO in Kielce, Poland.
Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “I am delighted with the progress of the Polish MIECZNIK program. Our work in Poland is built on the common interests of NATO countries. Babcock will deliver a first-class frigate for Polish sovereignty Defensive capabilities make a significant contribution.
“We look forward to a close partnership with the PGZ-MIECZNIK alliance.”
Earlier this year, Babcock supported the opening of the new PGZ SA Project Management Office in Gdynia, Poland, which will manage domestic deliveries of the country’s MIECZNIK frigate project.
The MIECZNIK frigate project in Poland is Arrowhead 140’s second export contract following the first order for a design license agreement for two frigates with PT PAL in Indonesia. Babcock was announced as the preferred bidder for the UK’s Type 31 frigate project in 2019, with the contract confirmed in November of the same year.
