Sheet cutting for third frigate Type 31– HMS Formidable

On October 9, at Babcock shipyard in Rosyth, Scotland, there was a ceremony of cutting sheet metal into a third frigate Type 31 Inspiration – HMS Formal. This is another important stage in the five frigate type construction program Inspiration For the Royal Navy. The ceremony took place only 20 months after a similar event related to the second frigate, HMS Active, which shows the impressive pace of programme implementation and the advanced capabilities of Babcock shipyard.

The event was attended by representatives of the British government, Royal Navy and international partners, including representatives of the Polish Armed Forces Group (PGZ) and the Polish Naval Shipyard. The Polish website was represented, among others, by Jan Grabowski – a member of the board of PGZ S.A. in charge of the maritime area, Roger Burek-Bors, director of the Marine Project Division, Grzegorz Sowa – director of the MECZNIK program, president of the board PGZ Stocznia Wojenna – Marcin Ryngwelski and PGZA War Shipyard board member – Beata Koniarska. The delegation had the opportunity to watch the progress of building the first frigate for the Royal Navy, which was part of a visit to the building Venturer.

During the ceremony, Babcock's CEO, David Lockwood, stressed the importance of the frigate for Britain's security and their key role in defense operations conducted in cooperation with allies. He also pointed out the positive impact of the frigate construction programme on the British economy, which benefits communities across the country by creating new jobs.

During the ceremony, Jan Grabowski, a member of the board of PGZ S.A. in charge of the maritime area, emphasized the importance of Polish-British cooperation: "We are pleased with the progress of building a British member of the Arrowhead family, which includes both Type 31 ships and our future multitasking frigates MEDIC. Polish-British cooperation In this area, it is an excellent opportunity for our companies to strengthen relations that will translate into an increase in the security of our countries, which coincides with the objectives of both the PGZ and Babcock. We believe that through cooperation we will be able to respond not only to the needs of our marine forces, but also to our allies, offering jointly solutions and services from the maritime area."

On the other hand, President PGZ Stocznia WojennaMarcin Ryngwelski stressed the importance of the programme Miecznik programme and cooperation with Babcock: "Thanks to our cooperation with Babcock, we are gaining valuable experiences that are crucial for the implementation of the programme Miecznik programme. Joint actions with British partners not only strengthen our production capacity, but also enable the transfer of knowledge that will benefit the entire Polish shipbuilding industry. We are proud to be able to participate in such an important project, which increases Poland's security and strengthens our position in the international defence industry".

The ceremony was accompanied by a day under the motto "Formidable Engineering", during which initiatives related to the promotion of STEM competences (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and activities aimed at local communities and youth, aimed at developing future engineering staff.

HMS Formal is not only an element of the British defence programme, but also a symbol of international cooperation, including in partnership with Poland on the programme of frigate MEAT. Cooperation between Babcock and PGZ benefit not only the defence, but also the economic development of both countries, strengthening industrial ties and supporting the region's security.

Source: Babcock International

• Babcock co-founds the Project Management Office for the Polish frigate construction program MECICZNIK
• The British continue their low-cost frigate type 31 program
• Cut frigate sheet Type 31 for the Royal Navy
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