Arrowhead 140

A proven, capable and adaptable frigate for global navies

Delivering modern navy capability – now and for the future.

Babcock provides navies around the world with proven, export‑ready frigates and a full suite of naval solutions designed to accelerate delivery, reduce risk and strengthen sovereign capability. Built on a live production line at Rosyth, our Arrowhead family offers customers modern ships backed by real shipbuilding experience.

Proven naval shipbuilding programme

Arrowhead 140: An export-ready multi‑mission frigate.

The Arrowhead 140 (AH140) is a flexible, highly capable frigate designed to give navies a fast, low‑risk route to modern maritime power.

As the baseline design for the Royal Navy’s Type 31 Inspiration-class, it is in build today, giving international customers confidence in a design that is already being delivered.

AH140 offers:

A mature, production-ready frigate

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Proven shipbuilding capability at Rosyth

Rosyth is one of the UK’s most advanced naval shipbuilding centres — delivering complex warships through a digitally enabled, parallel-build model that is operating right now.

Our shipbuilding advantage includes:

A live frigate production line for the Type 31 programme
Skilled, experienced workforce already building the platform
Modern assembly halls supporting parallel block construction
Mature supply chain aligned to Arrowhead designs
Continuous improvement applied to every ship built

International customers gain confidence from a partner that is delivering today, not offering conceptual designs.

Modular mission fit for tailored capability

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Flexible. Modular. Mission‑Ready.

Arrowhead 140’s modular design supports a wide range of mission systems, allowing navies to tailor capability for:

Maritime security and constabulary tasks
Anti‑surface warfare
Task group operations
Humanitarian and disaster response
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)

Its open architecture and generous growth margins ensure long-term relevance.

Open architecture and future growth margins

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Building sovereign capability for the future

Many nations need more than ships — they need the ability to build, sustain and modernise their fleets at home. Babcock enables sovereign capability through:

Technology transfer and IP licensing
Local build options and joint ventures
Workforce training and skills uplift
Shipyard modernisation and digitalisation
Long-term through-life support infrastructure

This gives navies confidence not just in acquisition, but in sustainable, long-term capability.

Predictable delivery timelines

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Babcock’s build strategy is one of our strongest differentiators — proven in practice and continuously refined.

Our approach is built on four pillars:

Parallel build for faster delivery: Multiple blocks are built at the same time, reducing programme length and increasing predictability.
Digital production and real-time visibility: Integrated digital workflows minimise rework, improve sequencing and provide customers with transparent progress reporting.
Continuous improvement from a live programme: Lessons learned on the Type 31 line directly inform the next ship — and export builds.
Exportable, scalable processes: We support partners in replicating elements of the Rosyth model through digital tools, skills uplift and proven production methodologies.
Rosyth is one of the UK’s most advanced naval shipbuilding centres: We deliver complex warships through a digitally enabled, parallel-build model that is operating right now.