Babcock will design two Arrowhead-140PL frigates for Poland under two €1.83 billion contracts
The British company Babcock has signed two contracts with Poland that concern the development of Arrowhead-140PL frigates.
Here's What We Know
Under one of the contracts, Babcock will design both ships. The second contract involves the transfer of technology to Poland. The program has a budget of €1.83 billion.
The Arrowhead-140PL will be 19.7m wide, 138.7m long and have a displacement of about 7,000 tons. The frigate will be capable of speeds up to 30 knots (55.5 km/h), with a cruising speed of 33 km/h. The ship will be able to sail 6,000 nautical miles (11,111 km).
The Arrowhead-140PL will be equipped with Saab RBS-1 Mk.3/Mk.4 anti-ship missiles and the Sea Ceptor vertical launch system. It will be designed for 128 missiles (32 cells of 4 missiles). The frigate will also get MU-90 lightweight torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare and several cannons for destroying enemy aircraft. As for electronics, the Arrowhead-140PL will get an active phased array radar (AESA), additional radar (probably NS-50) and two sonars.
According to the plan, construction of the frigates will start in 2023. Poland wants three ships in 2028, 2029 and 2031. Who will develop the third frigate is not specified.
Source: Bulgarian Military
Image: Historia
