Babcock picks gun provider for Type 31 frigates
Type 31 frigates for the UK RN will be armed with Bofors 40 Mk4 (pictured) and Bofors 57 Mk3 guns, BAE Systems announced on 1 October.
The company was awarded a subcontract by Babcock International to provide the RN with advanced, multi-purpose gun systems for the five Type 31 general-purpose frigates, the first of which could enter service in 2027.
Bofors 40 Mk4 small-calibre and Bofors 57 Mk3 medium-calibre guns will protect the vessels ‘against modern and future complex threats’, BAE Systems noted. ‘The guns also offer the Royal Navy optimised ammunition types, including the cost-efficient programmable Bofors 3P all-target munition.’
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the RN will join the navies or coast guards of nine other countries in operating or ordering the Bofors 40 Mk4: Brazil, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Sweden and Uruguay.
The Bofors 57 Mk3 has been ordered or is in service in Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Singapore, Thailand and the US.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Inspiration Class (Type 31) [UK]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from European Naval Sector Special Report
-
![RIMPAC 2024 brings more navies together than ever before for biennial warfare exercise]()
RIMPAC 2024 brings more navies together than ever before for biennial warfare exercise
RIMPAC 2024 offered 29 national navies opportunities to train together for combat readiness in multiple domains, including underwater.
-
![Italian OPV to include BLoS communications equipment]()
Italian OPV to include BLoS communications equipment
Vessel to be commissioned in 2022; three others may follow
-
![Type 212CD talks hit a snag]()
Type 212CD talks hit a snag
Technological requirements seem to be a bone of contention between Germany and Norway, but both MoDs remain confident that the programme will proceed
-
![Spey embarks on delivery voyage]()
Spey embarks on delivery voyage
River class Batch 2 construction phase comes to an end with departure of HMS Spey from BAE Systems shipyard in Scotland
-
![Turkish industry unveils new USV]()
Turkish industry unveils new USV
Launch of the first USV in the Ulaq family is scheduled for December this year, to be followed by missile firing tests early in 2021
-
![French Navy takes aim at RapidFire]()
French Navy takes aim at RapidFire
Close-in weapon system to arm French naval vessels with additional potential to install it on land platforms
