Indian Navy’s next generation OPV fleet advances with keel-laying of third vessel
The ship is the third in a fleet of 11, with the first vessel due to be delivered in 2026.
Babcock International has completed the first docking and maintenance period on the Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth at its facility in Rosyth, UK, it was announced on 21 May.
After the planned six-week work package was successfully delivered, the carrier departed Rosyth through the specially designed rollerfender system into the River Forth.
Work under the contract included replacing 284 hull valves and renewing all cathodic protection electrodes and anodes, as well as painting the hull and carrying out work on the stabilisers, rudders and shaft lines.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is due to enter service in 2020 after extensive whole-ship trials.
The ship is the third in a fleet of 11, with the first vessel due to be delivered in 2026.
The companies have banded together to promote the Fincantieri U212 NFS offering, and hinted that the collaboration may not be a one-bid phenomenon.
The frigate, Spartaco Schergat, is equipped for a broad range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare.
The new contract with Textron Systems will support software development for uncrewed vessels over the next three years.
The global naval market is undergoing a notable transformation, with growth driven by both escalating geopolitical tensions and the emergence of innovative technologies. Across NATO, but particularly in Europe, navies are accelerating modernisation efforts, spurred by renewed threats and persistent capability gaps.
The two Logistic Support Ships (LSS), contracted under Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation, (OCCAR), should be commissioned into service later in 2025.