Strong Relationship and Complementary Skillsets
Babcock International and Hyundai Heavy Industries have signed an MoU aimed at strengthening their relationship as focus builds on Korea’s CVX aircraft carrier programme, the companies announced on 1 September. The agreement brings the two parties closer together, recognising that working collaboratively their individual expertise and capabilities can further support the design and build of the new capital ship.
Babcock Korea brings a wealth of global experience in through-life programme support from concept, to design and build, to ongoing operational support of naval assets for Korea and the region. The Group has firmly reinforced its commitment to the Republic of Korea and its supportto the Korean Ministry of National Defence (MND) through investment in an assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Busan, where Babcock currently assembles equipment for a growing number of RoK naval programmes.
John Howie, Babcock Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, stated “As a lead partner within the Aircraft Carrier Alliance that designed, built and delivered the QUEEN ELIZABETH-class carriers for the UK, we [have] the proven capabilities to deliver large-scale, complex programmes and, by affirming our already strong relationship with Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder, our
collaborative and complementary skills and expertise can deliver a cutting-edge sovereign aircraft carrier capability to the Republic of Korea […] Through our growing in-country business, continued long-term investment in our facility in Busan and collaboration with key partners, both in Korea and internationally, Babcock is committed to supporting Korean industry.”
“The MoU with Babcock develops the relationship between a leading aerospace, defence and security company and the number one shipyard in the world. Through this MoU, we will establish a stable foundation to integrate cutting edge technology into the Republic of Korea’s first light Aircraft Carrier build. Furthermore, the capability of both companies will help to grow future technology opportunities in the global market,” observed Sam-Hyun Ka, CEO of Hyundai Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering.
