#Shipyards -  An Irish Sea based shipbuilder on Merseyside, Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has unveiled a new website for a cutting-edge warship, the 'Leander' Frigate, in a bid to capitalise on growing interest from navies around the world.

The BAE Systems-designed vessel is at the forefront of modern warship engineering – a highly practical frigate that offers exceptional flexibility and is capable of delivering low lifecycle costs.

The new website www.leanderfrigate.com contains images, technical specifications, and videos with 3D representations of the Leander, as well as information on the ship’s operational performance, flight deck design, sensors and weaponry options, and living quarters.

Tony Graham, project director for the Leander Frigate, said the warship has huge export potential and is already generating significant international interest. Cammell Laird will look to build on this momentum as they promote their naval shipbuilding capability on the world stage during Euronaval 2018, the biggest naval exhibition and conference of the year, due to take place in Paris between October 23 and 26.

“The new website allows us to highlight some key features and capabilities of this powerful and affordable warship, providing another layer of detail for the export market,” said Mr Graham

“The website launch is also an important part of our preparations for October’s Euronaval exhibition in France, an event that will provide us with the perfect platform to showcase Cammell Laird’s construction capabilities and cost efficiencies.”

“Buyers have been incredibly receptive to the fact that it’s the first time in a generation a warship offered to the Royal Navy that is designed to UK standards, with a UK combat system and a competitive price point, has been made available on the international market.”

At under 4,000 tonnes, the Leander Frigate occupies a space that particularly appeals to most navies, according to Mr Graham. He said the ship’s modern features, including its highly flexible design with a significant mission bay for boats and offboard systems – both unmanned air vehicles and unmanned surface vessels, are proving particularly attractive to customers.

BAE Systems will also be promoting its design for the Leander Frigate at Euronaval in Paris and again at the Exponaval 2018 exhibition in Chile this December.

Supplier interest in the Leander project has been overwhelming, fueled by the market’s enthusiastic reaction to the warship’s design. Cammell Laird, BAE Systems and the Society of Maritime Industries on Merseyside held two sold-out supplier conferences in February and March. As a result, more than 400 suppliers have now registered an interest in joining the project.