Following on from their Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed in March 2022,Babcock, the international defence company, and PGZ SA, the Polish ArmamentsGroups - one of the largest defence groups in Europe, have entered into aFramework Agreement with the intention of forming a Joint Venture (JV) that furtherstrengthens the Strategic Partnership between the two companies.

When enactedthe JV will see both companies work more closely together to deliver Poland’sMIECZNIK frigate programme and on the potential development of broaderinternational opportunities.

Poland’s MIECZNIK programme is based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 Frigatedesign, and Babcock and PGZ plan to deliver this programme by combining theirshipbuilding and equipment support capabilities. The companies will also seekopportunities to partner for other naval and wider defence programmes by optimizingresources, capabilities and infrastructure across both organisations.

Currently going through latter stage commercial processes, the new Joint Ventureorganisation will be a further boost to UK and Polish industry collaboration and widerprosperity generation, following the recent signing of the 2030 Strategic Partnershipbetween the UK and Poland which seeks to deepen policy, security and defencecooperation.

David Lockwood CEO Babcock said:“In today’s world, sovereign defence has never been more important. Our plannedJoint Venture with PGZ continues to build on our increasingly close relationship,enabling us to consolidate the core capabilities of both organisations to benefit ourcurrent and future customers.

“What we do matters more than ever, and today we are proud to stand alongside ourPolish partner as they cut the first steel on this national shipbuilding programme,” he added.

Sebastian Chwałek, CEO PGZ S.A. said:“The Framework Agreement concluded today is built on the strong and fruitfulrelationship between PGZ and Babcock. Over the last few years, we haveestablished a strategic partnership between Poland and the UK. Once concluded,the Joint Venture will not only support the MIECZNIK programme, but also work as aplatform for future naval shipbuilding capabilities.”

“Strengthening the potential of the Polish Navy is an absolute priority for us, but in the long term, together with Babcock we also plan to create export opportunities. Cooperation in the development of naval forces is also an action to strengthen NATO, of which both our countries are extremely important representatives,” he noted.

Image: First Cut of steel on MIECZNIK Programme (PGZ)