Babcock, a global leader in defence solutions, is joining forces with South Korean shipbuilding giant Hanwha Ocean through a newly signed Strategic Cooperation Agreement. This partnership aims to strengthen their collaborative efforts in the international naval market and enhance the robust relationship the two companies have cultivated.
The agreement sets the stage for deeper collaboration on high-profile naval procurement projects, including Poland’s Orka submarine programme and Canada’s Patrol Submarine Project. By combining their expertise, Babcock and Hanwha Ocean plan to deliver customized solutions across the full spectrum of naval platform operations, from initial acquisition to ongoing maintenance and operation.
During a recent trip to South Korea, Babcock CEO David Lockwood visited Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard, a facility renowned for its advanced capabilities in ship design, construction, and maintenance. The visit included discussions about potential areas of collaboration and Hanwha Ocean’s proficiency in managing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) projects.
During the strategic partnership signing ceremony, David Lockwood emphasized the potential of the partnership, stating: “By establishing a strategic partnership with Hanwha Ocean, we aim to significantly enhance our competitiveness in the export naval market and local sustainment support sectors. This strengthens our existing relationship and sets the framework for future collaborations.”
Hanwha Ocean CEO Hee-Cheul Kim remarked, “There is a strong synergy between Hanwha Ocean’s competitiveness in ship platform construction and Babcock’s strengths in global sustainment support services. This partnership will not only improve our chances of securing major global naval procurement projects but also enable us to deliver seamless services throughout the lifecycle of naval platforms.”
The partnership between Babcock and Hanwha Ocean is not new. It began in June 2023 when Babcock Canada signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) focused on Canada’s submarine sustainment programmes and the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. Earlier this year, in February, the companies also entered a Teaming Agreement (TA) to jointly pursue global submarine initiatives.
Lockwood was accompanied by a high-profile team that underscored the strategic importance of this partnership. Joining him were Sir Nick Hine, Babcock’s Marine Chief Executive and a former Second Sea Lord of the Royal Navy; Jerry McLean, CEO of Babcock Canada; and Mark Goldsack, Managing Director of Business Growth & AUKUS at Babcock, who previously led UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE).
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to driving innovation and excellence in the naval sector, while opening new opportunities in the global defence landscape.