Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration is evaluating a joint proposal from Saab and UK-based Babcock for the Arrowhead 140 frigate design as a candidate for its future Luleå-class surface combatants, according to reporting in Swedish media and industry sources.
The Arrowhead 120 concept, developed by Babcock and backed by Saab for the Swedish bid, is pitched as a multi-role surface combat ship sized around 120 meters. The design emphasizes air defence and anti-submarine warfare, modular mission spaces, and endurance for extended deployments in the Baltic, North Sea, and Arctic operating zones.
The British company has set itself up as a trend-setter around the world as it helps to support the development of a number of naval programmes.
Most notably, Babcock leads the Arrowhead-140 (AH140) general-purpose, light frigate design that launched in May 2018.
The Royal Navt is procuring five Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates to replace the its Type 23 frigate fleet, which has been in service since the early 1990s. Led by Babcock, Team 31 comprises Thales, Harland & Wolff, BMT, OMT and Ferguson Marine.
The design has begun to set the standard for some countries, including Poland and Indonesia.
Babcock confirmed it is not submitting a solo bid to FMV, instead placing its full support behind the Saab-led offer for Sweden’s planned four-ship Luleå class. Saab has highlighted aviation flexibility with a flight deck and hangar capable of hosting medium naval helicopters and potentially uncrewed rotary aircraft.
Saab’s involvement positions the design in the context of Sweden’s broader surface combatant strategy, which draws on an existing cooperation framework with Babcock. The two firms have engaged with Swedish Navy and UK Royal Navy representatives as part of ongoing design and industrial planning discussions.
The Swedish frigate effort is one of the nation’s largest surface fleet expansions in decades and has drawn interest from major European shipbuilders. France’s Naval Group and Spain’s Navantia are among other contenders with adapted designs. The Swedish government signalled plans to select a supplier by early 2026 as part of its program schedule.
Industry watchers note that Sweden’s procurement strategy favors mature designs that can be adapted and delivered to meet ambitious delivery timelines while reinforcing regional maritime capabilities.
According to company material reviewed in media reports, the Arrowhead 120 design integrates core warfighting capabilities with flexibility. Modular internal spaces are intended to support future growth, including new weapon sets and mission systems over the ship’s service life.
The platform also includes a main flight deck and hangar, and both Saab and Babcock stress its operational range and adaptability across mission sets ranging from maritime surveillance to anti-submarine operations.
The Luleå program is part of a broader Swedish naval modernization that includes upgrades to existing fleets. Saab and Swedish forces are also advancing other naval programs such as air defence upgrades for Visby-class corvettes and expanded undersea and coastal strike capabilities.
Sweden’s procurement timetable remains targeted on delivering the first of the new surface combatants by 2030. Final selections later this year will shape the country’s maritime force posture into the next decade.
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