Thyssenkrupp may supply final design of Type 31e frigates for Royal Navy.

As part of the tender process for the introduction of the new British Type 31e frigate generation, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is one of the selected suppliers in the final design and offer phase in a consortium led by ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK. This consortium includes ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, British shipyards Harland & Wolff and Ferguson Marine Engineering.

BAE Systems' Type 31e "Leander" design (Picture source : BAE Systems)

Dr. Rolf Wirtz, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: “We are proud to have reached the decisive design phase for the Type 31e frigates. Based on our proven MEKO A-200 ships, we will offer the Royal Navy a multi-purpose frigate based on our many years of experience in developing high performance, modular naval vessels. The proposed ship design is already in operation with two navies and is unique in its comprehensive modularity and expandability.”

With the support of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, the ships will be manufactured by Harland & Wolff in Belfast and Ferguson Marine Engineering in Glasgow – the highest added value at the sites mentioned and in the entire local supply industry is guaranteed. The Type 31e program is considered one of the most important in the Royal Navy’s comprehensive future capabilities program. The MOD wants the first ship delivered in 2023.