Babcock receives contract to support Ukrainian Navy’s new minehunters

Babcock has been contracted to provide sustainment and support for the two ex-Royal Navy Sandown-class minehunters recently donated by the UK to Ukraine. (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

Babcock International has been awarded a contract covering the support and maintenance of the Ukrainian Navy’s two newly acquired ex-Royal Navy (RN) Sandown-class mine-countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) – Chernihiv (ex-HMS Grimsby) and Cherkasy (ex-HMS Shoreham).

Under the MCMV contract, announced by Babcock on 15 December, the company will provide preventative maintenance and technical support to enhance the vessels’ operational capability and sustainability over the next three years. The contract also covers the provision of support at reach, assisting Ukrainian Navy crews with any issues they encounter in real time and providing technical assistance and advice whenever required.

The two vessels, which were commissioned into Ukrainian Navy service in July 2023, were donated by the UK to Ukraine as part of the Ukraine Naval Capabilities Enhancement Programme (UNCEP). Ahead of their transfer from the RN, they were overhauled by Babcock at its facilities in Rosyth, Scotland.