Babcock and Saab Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement for Naval Developments
Babcock International Group and Saab have signed a strategic cooperation agreement at DSEI. The agreement will be focused on the development of a new advanced corvette design.
Babcock CEO, David Lockwood, said: “This is the beginning of an exciting new relationship between Babcock and Saab. It recognises the potential to jointly offer a wider range of integrated solutions to international customers and builds on the strong cultural and technical links between the two Groups.”
The announcement from Saab and Babcock noted that:
“The joint development will benefit from Babcock’s expertise in platform design and integration to create a new class-leading capability, and Saab’s expertise in naval Combat Management Systems and composite structures.
The new corvette will be a highly capable and adaptable surface combatant aimed at meeting the needs of international customers. Babcock and Saab intend to jointly market the new design to worldwide export markets.”
Further detail on the nature of the corvette, beyond a potential length of ‘around 100 meters’ have not yet been shared. Babcock’s most successful surface combatant offering is the Arrowhead 140 frigate while Saab currently offer the 73 meter-long Visby class of corvettes which are operated by the Swedish Navy. Often described as ‘stealth corvettes’, the Visby’s architecture is designed to reduce its infrared signatre and lower its radar cross section. A second tranche of Visby corvettes had been planned but were cancelled in 2021, and Saab Kockums are currently developing the new Luleå class.
Saab’s President and CEO, Micael Johansson, went on to say that Saab and Babcock share “complementary capabilities and resources, including expertise, technologies and market presence that can enhance our competitive advantage when combined. By combining our capabilities and resources, we recognise the potential to leverage each other’s strengths.”