Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1220268
adopted Danish Iver Huitfeldt design, also referred to as Arrowhead 140. Along with that decision the consortium also grew in size. Odense Maritime Technology joined the team, being responsible for adopting the design to match the British requirements. The bidders were to be surprised, as the whole procure- ment process in question was suspended on 20th July 2018. DE&S procurement agency justified the decision with a lack of sufficient number of offers what supposed- ly created circumstances in which the process would not achieve a required level of competitiveness. The news that was a symptom of serious delays or even redefini- tion did not, ultimately, turn out to be tragic. Three weeks later, following some minor changes, the procurement process was restarted. It was in December 2018 when the British MoD announced a decision that three consortia would take part in the pro- ceedings, instead of two: Babcock's and BAE Systems', and a new player: Atlas Elektronik UK and Thyssenkrup Marine Systems duo. The fact that the latter duo joined the competition could be treated as a response to the arguments behind the temporary suspension of the pro- gram. Each of three bidders received 5 million GBP to develop an accurate design of the vessel to be offered. Here the bid placed by Atlas Elektronik/TKMS really stands out. The duo in question submitted its offer rel- atively late, when compared to remaining competitors whose proposals have been presented since a few years. The German offer was based on a design of a proven Meko A-200 frigate (second gen.), already procured by the Algerian and South African Navies. These vessels have displacement of less than 4,000 tonnes, also uti- lizing unique thruster system replacing conventional screws. The armament package depends on the require- ments of the ordering party. As we can see, following the South African example, A-200 vessels can carry light corvette-proper armament or they may accommodate a large battery of 16 anti-ship missiles and a large caliber gun. Ultimately, on 12th September 2019, during the DSEI 2019, decision was announced that Arrowhead 140 de- sign was selected, offered by the Babcock-led consor- tium. Formally, the agreement confirming that choice was signed on 1th November. According to the Consortium, design and manufactur- ing of the Type 31 would create 1,250 jobs in the UK for the upcoming decade. A number of entities is to be responsible for manufacturing the systems for the ves- sels. Meanwhile, the platform itself and fitting it with the equipment would be taking place at the shipbuilding fa- cility in Rosyth. The current schedule assumes that sheet cutting for the first vessel would begin in 2021, with launch ceremony planned 2 years later. Then, the frigate would be fitted with the equipment – this may take around 2 years. Handing off of the first vessel to the Royal Navy will prob- ably take place in 2025 or 2026. The last vessel of the series (that is to include 5 warships) is expected to be transferred to the Royal Navy in 2027. TECH DETAILS As the aforesaid Babcock-led consortium has won the procedures, we may take a closer look at the future plat- form. We also can, with a high degree of probability, de- fine the set of sensors and armament systems expected to become an integral element of the future vessels. As mentioned above, Danish Iver Huidfeldt-class frigates constitute the base for the winning design. The new ves- sels would be 138 meters long, 20 meters wide, with draft of less than 5.3 meters – as we can deduce from look- ing at the Danish platform. The maximum displacement would not exceed 6,645 tonnes. The architecture of the NAVY