#Ports&Shipping - Dockyard operator Babcock International Group plc has made a bid for the £1.25billion contract to build the UK’s new frigates in Devonport.

The engineering giant writes the UK's The Herald, will lead a consortium which wants to construct the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Type 31e general purpose light warships.

It has joined with another leading defence supplier, Thales, and also defence firms BMT, Harland & Wolff (see related story) and Ferguson Marine, to form Team 31. 

The aim is to deliver “world-class ships” that will drive economic benefits throughout the UK.

Babcock facilities in Devon will all have key roles to play, the company said. Babcock has key bases at Devonport, in Plymouth, and Appledore in North Devon.

The firm said a “highly experienced team” will seek to deliver capable, cost-effective and flexible ships to the Royal Navy and, use the team’s “considerable international reach” to maximise export opportunities.

Babcock aims to build on the success of its role within the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, which delivered HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier.

In the new partnership Babcock will act as the overall programme lead, whilst Thales will have overall responsibility for the development of the Mission System solution.

Babcock and BMT, which also has a base in Plymouth, will use their experience in the development of designs for naval and commercial vessels, the engineering firm said.

Aside from in Devon, the work would be shared out at Ferguson Marine on the Clyde and Harland and Wolff in Belfast, while much of the equipment provided by Thales and others will support jobs across the UK.

Building on key lessons from the success of the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier programme and the Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Irish Naval Service, the Strategy seeks to maximise UK content, export potential and the cost and programme benefits of a modular build using the breadth of skills and facilities available across the UK.

In December 2017, Sir John Parker, author of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, said Plymouth could benefit from this modular approach and the spread around the country’s dockyards.

He said Devonport could even be the site where the ships are assembled.

But he thinks that with Devonport being more used to refitting, it is more likely a site such as Babcock’s Appledore facility would be suitable.

For more and what is a Type 31e frigate? click the newspaper's link here.