Babcock assembles ARMOR Force to deliver the hybrid navy of the future

Babcock International Group has announced that seven technology and defence partners have joined its ARMOR Force (Autonomous and Remote Maritime Operational Response – Force) Framework, creating the first end-to-end ecosystem designed to deliver coherent Hybrid Navy capability at scale. The new partners, CUBEDIN, Exail, Hensoldt, Kraken Technology Group, SH Defence, Stormborn and Thales, bring together complementary expertise spanning autonomous platforms, sensors, payloads, communications and mission systems. Working through the ARMOR Force Framework, these capabilities are integrated into a single operational construct, providing navies with a trusted and accountable route to adopting Hybrid Navy capability. As partners under the new framework join, work between Babcock, HII and Arondite, announced previously, continues at pace around Cobalt, Arondite’s mission orchestration platform that will cohere the ecosystem of technologies and systems on ARMOR Force vessels. The new framework marks a significant milestone for ARMOR Force, Babcock’s open-architecture ecosystem that combines crewed, lean-crewed and uncrewed systems within a common operating environment. Designed around commanded autonomy, ARMOR Force enables navies to rapidly field adaptable and scalable capability while maintaining human oversight and decision-making authority. Rather than requiring customers to source and integrate individual technologies themselves, ARMOR Force provides a single point of accountability. As systems integrator, Babcock brings together platforms, payloads, software and support services into one coherent capability, underpinned by common standards, assured integration and through-life support. Drawing on decades of experience designing, building, integrating and supporting complex naval capabilities for customers around the world, Babcock is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between emerging technology and deployment. Through ARMOR Force, customers gain access not only to innovative technologies but also to the assurance, certification, testing, training and support required to safely introduce them into service. Nick Hine, Chief Growth Officer and Chief Executive – Marine, Babcock said: “The future Hybrid Navy will not be built from individual technologies operating in isolation. Success depends on bringing together platforms, systems, data and people into a coherent operational capability. ARMOR Force does exactly that. By establishing this framework and bringing together world-leading partners, we are creating an ecosystem that enables navies to adopt autonomous capability with confidence. Babcock acts as the integrator and accountable delivery partner, ensuring customers receive a proven, deployable capability rather than a collection of promising technologies. Our approach is founded on commanded autonomy. People remain firmly responsible for operational intent, authority and accountability, while technology extends reach, resilience and operational advantage. ARMOR Force gives customers the flexibility to evolve capability at pace while avoiding dependency on any single platform, supplier or technology roadmap.” The ARMOR Force Framework has been designed to grow as technologies mature and customer requirements evolve. New partners and capabilities can be incorporated through ARMOR Force’s open and modular architecture, powered by Arondite Cobalt, preserving customer choice while accelerating innovation. Babcock’s facilities and engineering expertise across the UK, including Rosyth and Devonport, will support capability development, integration, simulation, testing and through-life support. This enables ARMOR Force to move beyond concept development and provide customers with a practical and scalable pathway to operational Hybrid Navy capability. Babcock and Everllence sign MOU for Arrowhead frigates (PHOTO: Babcock) Babcock International Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Everllence, a Danish provider of propulsion, decarbonisation and efficiency solutions for shipping, to explore a strategic partnership that will strengthen the delivery and future development of the globally successful Arrowhead frigate platform. The agreement reflects both companies’ shared ambition to support current and future naval capability requirements through the development of advanced power, propulsion and through-life support solutions. Under the proposed partnership framework, Everllence would become a strategic partner for power and propulsion systems across Arrowhead programmes. Building on the international momentum behind the Arrowhead platform, the collaboration will examine opportunities for Everllence to assume propulsion system responsibility for future Arrowhead programmes while supporting the development of next-generation power and propulsion architectures. This includes exploring solutions for future Arrowhead variants and export opportunities, including potential requirements within Denmark and other international markets. The partnership will also assess innovative support models that combine UK and Danish industrial capability to provide efficient and resilient through-life support for Arrowhead vessels throughout their operational service. This agreement marks the latest chapter in a growing Anglo-Danish naval partnership. Building on previous agreements with Danish industry and the continued evolution of the Arrowhead platform, it strengthens collaboration between UK and Danish maritime expertise to develop the next generation of naval power, propulsion and support solutions. Nick Hine, Chief Growth Officer and Chief Executive – Marine, Babcock said: “Arrowhead has established itself as one of the world’s leading frigate designs, combining proven capability with adaptability to meet the evolving needs of allied navies. As interest in the platform continues to grow internationally, partnerships such as with Everllence can ensure we can offer customers not only a world-class warship, but the industrial expertise, innovation and long-term support needed to maximise operational advantage throughout its service life. We look forward to growing our partnership.” Thomas Leander, Vice President – Head of Solutions & Site Manager Frederikshavn at Everllence said: “This agreement marks an important step in building a closer relationship between Everllence and Babcock. The combination of the proven Arrowhead 140 platform and Everllence’s propulsion and power-generation expertise provides a strong foundation for exploring future opportunities together. While Arrowhead 140 was the starting point for our discussions, this cooperation is intended to identify additional areas where both companies can contribute to future naval capabilities and customer requirements.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]