Navantia and Bath Iron Works partner to develop new US Navy frigate

Navantia has signed a teaming agreement with General Dynamics (GD) Bath Iron Works to collaborate on the development of the US Navy’s latest and advanced FFG(X) guided missile frigate.

The new partnership between the two shipbuilding companies is expected to provide capable and affordable light-surface combatant technology for the US Navy.

Navantia chair José Esteban Garcia Vilasanchez said: “We are excited to collaborate with Bath Iron Works on the FFG(X) programme.

“Our partnership began in the 1980s, when we worked together to bring the Oliver Hazard Perry / Santa María FFG design to Spain, establishing a modern Spanish naval shipbuilding industry.”

The agreement will see the two companies work in collaboration on designs based on Navantia’s family of Aegis frigates.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) destroyer HMAS Hobart is the latest in the Navantia family of vessels and was previously commissioned into the navy in September.

Bath Iron Works president Dirk Lesko said: “Bath Iron Works evaluated many US and foreign designs suited to the FFG(X) requirements and found that the family of frigates designed and built by Navantia is an ideal match.

“We look forward to continuing the productive relationship we have had with Navantia for nearly 40 years.”

The FFG(X) project is anticipated to provide the combatant and fleet commanders with a suitable asset to attain select sea control objectives and carry out maritime security operations, while facilitating access in all domains in support of strike group and aggregated fleet missions.