Defence company Babcock has secured two more contracts relating to Polish Navy’s frigate program Miecznik to accelerate the construction of the new frigates.
The Class Design Contract and the Transfer of Knowledge & Skills (TOKAT) framework agreement respectively support the further development of the program and the enhancement of shipbuilding capability in Poland to deliver Miecznik on schedule.
The Class Design contract is key to supporting the maturity of the Miecznik frigate and the provision of a design documentation package to Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ S.A) for submission to the classification authority, according to Babcock.
This critical and timely process in the contract will drive forward the next stage of the engineering process and support the program to achieve cut steel of the first ship in 2023, the company emphasized.
Under the TOKAT framework contract, Babcock will share its technology, engineering expertise and industry know-how with PGZ S.A., PGZ SW and Remontowa Ship Building with the aim to transform their shipyards and deliver the Miecznik program for the Polish Navy.
The cooperation will include human resources development and staff training, support in infrastructure upgrades planning and the implementation of tools and technologies.
Babcock announced its Miecznik frigate program contracts during MSPO, the 30th International Defence Industry event held in Kielce, Poland.
The two contracts also underpin the strong economic and trade relations between the UK and Poland.
Earlier this year Babcock supported the opening of a new PGZ S.A Project Management Office in Gdynia, Poland, that will manage the in-country delivery of the country’s new frigate program.
Poland’s Miecznik frigate program is the second export contract for Arrowhead 140 following the first order of a design licence agreement with PT PAL in Indonesia for two frigates.
Babcock was announced as the preferred bidder for the UK Type 31 frigate program in 2019, with the contract confirmed in November of the same year.