The Telegraph reported Babcock’s approach, while Navy Lookout said the offer would be submitted jointly with Huntington Ingalls Industries, or HII. Navy Lookout said it could include transferring intellectual property to allow U.S. shipbuilders to construct Arrowhead 140 independently.
The reported arrangement would put HII behind both the FF(X) design and a proposed alternative. HII builds FF(X) and the Legend-class Coast Guard cutters from which it was developed.
Babcock does not own a U.S. shipyard, making a design license and engineering support a possible route into the program. It already supplies HII under a December 2025 contract for complex components used in Virginia-class Block VI nuclear-powered submarines.
The companies are also developing ARMOR Force, a concept in which a Type 31 frigate would command large Romulus uncrewed surface vessels. That cooperation gives them an existing industrial relationship, but does not establish that the Navy will choose Arrowhead 140.
Babcock’s naval programs director, Nick Hine, had previously argued that the company should pursue the U.S. frigate opportunity. Discussions with Pentagon representatives had reportedly taken place before the latest reports.
Rear Adm. Casey Moton has confirmed a 90-day review of foreign ship designs involving the Pentagon, the Navy and outside specialists. Other reported candidates include Japan’s modified Mogami, South Korea’s Chungnam and Turkey’s İstanbul classes, while Fincantieri Marine Group has expressed interest in offering FREMM Evo.
The Navy is continuing work on FF(X) while examining alternatives. Moton said in late September that the first-flight design had completed its critical design review, with the lead ship scheduled for delivery by the end of June 2030.
