Babcock to lead bid consortium for new UK frigate contract

Babcock on Monday said it would lead a bespoke team of industry partners in a bid for the UK Ministry of Defence's new £1.25bn Type 31e general purpose light frigate programme.

Babcock had teamed up with fellow defence contractor Thales, along with BMT, Harland & Wolff and Ferguson Marine to form 'Team 31'.

It said the consortium would pitch to the UK's Ministry of Defence that it could deliver "world-class ships that will drive economic benefits throughout the UK".

Babcock said it would act as the overall programme lead, whilst Thales will have overall responsibility for the development of the mission system solution.