Royal Navy Selects BAE Bofors 57mm Gun For New Type 31 Frigates
BAE Systems Bofors has been contracted to produce and deliver Bofors 40mm Mk4 and Bofors 57mm Mk3 naval guns for the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s Type 31 general purpose frigate program. The agreement – via Babcock International who will build the ships – will equip the five projected vessels. The first Type 31 is expected to enter service in 2027.
The contract includes five Bofors 57 Mk3 medium caliber guns and 10 Bofors 40 Mk4 small caliber guns. Both act as close-in weapon systems and are designed to protect the ships against air-and-surface threats. The guns also offer the Royal Navy optimized ammunition types, including the programmable Bofors 3P all-target munition. This can be programmed in six different function modes to provide optimised effect against any aerial, surface or shore target.
Speaking of the award Lena Gillström, managing director for BAE Systems Bofors, said:
“We will be providing the most cutting edge gun system technology available which can adapt to different levels of conflict, including peacekeeping missions, local coastguard operations, and military operations.”
The Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun has proven a popular choice with a number of navies; these guns are installed on various ship types around the world and the gun is in use with the navies and coast guards of eight nations, including Canada, Finland, Germany, and Sweden, as well as the United States, where it is known as the Mk110 naval gun.
BAE Systems has built and delivered more than 100 Bofors 57 Mk3 naval guns for customers around the world. The Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun is the latest generation in the 40mm family, and with this contract, the Royal Navy will become its fifth operator.