Babcock Adds Seven Defence Partners to ARMOR Force Framework

Babcock has added seven technology and defense companies to its ARMOR Force framework, expanding its program to integrate crewed, reduced-crew and uncrewed naval systems. Announced on 4 November 2026, the partnership brings together autonomous platforms, sensors, communications, payloads and mission systems to support the development of hybrid naval fleets.

 

The seven companies joining the framework are CUBEDIN, Exail, Hensoldt, Kraken Technology Group, SH Defense, Stormborn and Thales. Their technologies will be incorporated into an open-architecture system that allows navies to deploy and coordinate different vessels and equipment through a common operational environment.

 

Babcock will act as the systems integrator, combining equipment, software and support services while overseeing integration, testing, certification and maintenance. The framework is intended to reduce the complexity of introducing autonomous technologies by giving naval customers a single organization responsible for integrating systems from different suppliers.

 

The program builds on earlier collaboration between Babcock, HII and Arondite. Arondite's Cobalt mission orchestration platform will help coordinate technologies and systems across ARMOR Force vessels. The framework follows a commanded autonomy approach, allowing automated systems to undertake operational tasks while human operators retain decision-making authority.

 

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Babcock's facilities at Rosyth and Devonport in the UK will support engineering, simulation, integration, testing and long-term maintenance. The modular architecture is also designed to accommodate additional technology partners as naval requirements and autonomous capabilities develop.

 

Sir Nick Hine, Babcock's Chief Growth Officer and Chief Executive of Marine, said the program aims to integrate separate naval technologies into deployable capabilities rather than leaving customers to manage individual systems themselves.

 

Babcock has not disclosed the financial terms of the new partnerships, confirmed procurement orders under the expanded framework, or announced a timetable for operational deployment.

 

Source: Babcock