
The United Kingdom chose Babcock as the preferred bidder for the new Type 31e frigates, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday. The government has committed to buying at least five Type 31e frigates while it expects to sell others to international customers. The first Type 31 is expected to be delivered by 2023. Babcock’s design is based on a modified version of the Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate, called the Arrowhead 140. The U.K. expects to finish contract discussions…