BAE Systems Bofors and Babcock have signed an agreement to partner to offer a full support package for the Bofors guns arming the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigates.
As per a Babcock press statement, it has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BAE Systems Bofors to offer in-service support (ISS) for the Inspiration-class boats.
The first-in-class, HMS Venturer, has been launched and is now undergoing final fitting-out in a dry dock at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard in Scotland; ships number two and three in the programme — Active and Formidable — are under construction in the build hall at the same facility.
The warships will each boast one Bofors 57 Mk3 Naval Gun System and two Bofors 40 Mk4 guns. The teams from each firm are already working together to oversee the initial integration and acceptance to service of the weapons.
Babcock’s Mission Systems’ team is already the lead provider of ISS to a number of RN gunnery systems including the 4.5” Mk8 gun, the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and the GSA9 gunfire control system.
CEO of Babcock Mission Systems Neal Misell commented: “The signing of this MOU brings together our unmatched team of experts to support these critical naval gunnery systems through life.
“With decades of technological experience and an intricate understanding of both the weapons systems and the platforms they will be operating from, we are geared and ready to provide the most capable and cost-effective support we believe is available for these guns.”
And Director of Naval Sales at BAE Systems Bofors Patrik Selling added: “We are looking forward to contributing to an in-service support solution for our 40 and 57mm naval guns that will fulfil the needs of the UK MOD and the Royal Navy, ensuring that the guns will be in effective service for many decades to come.”
- You can read more details on the Babcock website