Babcock and Frankenburg sign MoU on maritime air-defence system

Key facts

• Babcock and Frankenburg signed an MoU on 16 Jan 2026 to explore a maritime air-defence system.
• The collaboration aims to combine ship integration expertise with specialist sensing and countermeasure tech.
• Initial work will focus on concept design, trials planning and export/regulatory assessment.

2 minute read

Babcock International Group and Frankenburg Technologies have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly explore the development of a maritime air-defence system suited to naval platforms. Announced on 16 January 2026, the MoU frames collaborative activity across concept development, sensor and command-and-control integration, trials planning and assessment of regulatory and export considerations.

The partnership leverages Babcock’s experience in naval engineering, platform integration and sustainment alongside Frankenburg’s specialist technologies to pursue modular, scalable solutions that address growing threats from uncrewed aerial systems and loitering munitions in littoral waters. The initiative is positioned as a pre‑contract phase: it seeks to mature concepts and prepare demonstrators rather than deliver an immediate production system. Key next steps include defining customer requirements, evaluating fit on representative ship classes, and outlining test programmes to validate performance in maritime environments.

For European defence planners and naval procurement authorities, the MoU highlights an industry trend where primes partner with niche suppliers to accelerate delivery and improve export potential. The work will need to address interoperability with NATO command architectures, maritime certification challenges, and export control compliance if sensitive components are involved. Progression to production will depend on trial outcomes and further contracting or funding decisions.

Source: sUAS News