Babcock explores US Navy contract for Arrowhead 140 frigates

British company Babcock is considering a proposal to provide its Arrowhead 140 frigate design to meet the US Navy’s future surface combatant requirements. To facilitate this, Babcock is exploring potential collaboration with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) to manufacture the vessels within US shipyards.

The initiative follows a decision by President Donald Trump in August 2026 that limits the construction of certain military ships to a small number of foreign-involved projects, provided specific industrial conditions are met. This move comes as the US Constellation-class frigate program was reduced to two ships by December 2025.

Babcock’s proposal will compete against several international designs, including Japan’s Mogami-class, South Korea’s Chungnam-class, and Turkey’s Istanbul-class. The South Korean project is currently viewed as a strong contender, particularly as Hanwha holds significant investments in the Philadelphia Shipyard. A formal expression of interest from Babcock is expected by the end of October, with a final evaluation of proposals anticipated by November 12, 2026.