Babcock to support Ukrainian Sandown-class minehunters

Babcock International, the defence company, has been awarded a three-year contract to support and maintain two mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs), Cherkasy and Chernihiv, for the Ukrainian Navy following their transfer from the UK Royal Navy (RN).

Formerly the RN Sandown-class minehunters Grimsby and Shoreham, the two vessels were reconfigured by Babcock and commissioned into the Ukrainian Navy during a ceremony held in Glasgow on 2 July 2023. They will be used to support activity such as keeping sea lanes open.

The company has also established Babcock Ukraine Ltd and has opened an office in country, where a dedicated team will focus on support to the Ukrainian customer and industry partners. This move builds on the company’s wider ambitions in the Central Eastern European region.

The MCMV contract is underpinned by the tripartite memorandum of implementation signed in Odesa in June 2021 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, the UK government and Babcock and is part of a series of scheduled support to Ukraine’s defence capability.

As the prime industrial partner it is Babcock’s first contract under the Ukraine Naval Capability Enhancement Programme (UNCEP), which includes the enhancement of capabilities on existing naval platforms.

A team of mechanical and electrical engineers, working alongside fabricators, will provide preventative maintenance and technical support. Babcock will use its experience working on the Sandown-class MCMVs to make improvements to the vessels, enhancing their operational capability and sustainability.

“Babcock’s role in international defence has never been more critical,” Babcock CEO David Lockwood was quoted as saying in a company press release. “As the lead industry partner in Ukraine’s naval capabilities enhancement programme, we are expertly placed to support these important naval assets. The recent announcement of our Ukrainian business, alongside this naval support contract, builds on the work we are already doing to support the country’s military land assets as part of the UK’s support for Ukraine.”

Babcock will also offer support at reach to the Ukrainian Navy, helping to equip the crew with real-time solutions to any problems they encounter.

“Technical advice and repairs can also be provided, whenever and wherever they are required,” the company stated.