According to a post published on LinkedIn on August 6, 2021, British company Babcock confirms its selection by the Polish Government to provide a potential design solution for the Polish Navy’s Miecznik (Swordfish) frigate program, based on the Arrowhead 140 frigate platform.
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Scale model of Babcock Arrowhead 140 frigate platform. (Picture source Navy Recognition)
Supported by the UK Government, Babcock looks to work with the PGZ-Miecznik consortium to deliver a proposal based on its modern, highly capable, and versatile Arrowhead 140 frigate platform. The Miecznik program of the Polish Navy includes the procurement of three frigates able to engage both aerial and naval threats and capable to operate in Polish territorial waters as well as support NATO blue water operations.
British company Babcock is focused on being an international aerospace, defense and security company, with a leading naval business, providing value-add services across the UK, France, Canada, Australasia, and South Africa.
The Arrowhead 140 is a global white and blue water frigate. Scaled for adaptability and capability, this fully exportable British ship design complies with all relevant naval standards and delivers the ability to rapidly re-role the ship based on arising operational needs. It’s a vessel, built to deliver and support optimized operational effects while up-skilling the UK’s maritime enterprise.
The Arrowhead 140 frigate delivers high levels of survivability, operability, and responsiveness with naval customers able to achieve first-class performance. The wide beam design provides operational flexibility and its space-rich design enables efficiency in build, maintenance accessibility, and crew comfort as a core capability.
The Arrowhead 140 frigate will have a maximum overall length of 138.7 m, a maximum beam of 19.8 m, a design draft of 4.8 m, and a displacement of 5,700 tons. She will be powered by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system including four diesel engines, two propellers, and two variable shaft lines. The ship will be able to reach a maximum speed of 28 knots (51.8 km/h)
The armament of the Arrowhead 140 includes medium Caliber Gun options up to 5” (127mm) for maritime interdiction, self-protection, and engagement of surface and land targets. As well as small Calibre Guns up to 40mm caliber can be located in pre-designated upper-deck weapon positions. In option, the frigate can be armed with a provision of up to 8 canister-launched SSGW (Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapons), VL missiles (SAM/SSGW/Land Strike/ASW) up to 32 cells, and Close-In Weapons Systems.
