South Korean shipbuilding company Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has signed a pact with British shipbuilding company Babcock International to develop warship technologies.
“Through cooperation with Babcock, we will secure the skills necessary for the naval business,” Jung Woo-sung, Executive Director of Special Ship Operations at DSME said, as reported by Naval Today. “Through this, we will do our best to build the latest advanced vessels that the Republic of Korea Navy needs.”
The company further explained that the strategic collaboration with the UK-based shipbuilder will make it more competitive in the export market.
Babcock has contributed to building warships and critical submarine equipment for clients around the world. Among its projects has been the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
In 2017, Babcock was also awarded a contract by DSME to produce and deliver weapons handling and launch equipment for the South Korean Navy submarine Jangbogo III. The 3,000-ton vessel is set to run until 2024.
Babcock and Hyundai Collaboration
The collaboration between Babcock and DSME comes after the British company struck a similar deal with Daewoo Hyundai Heavy Industries in September last year.
The two companies will cooperate to build South Korea’s first aircraft career, which is scheduled to be developed in 2033.