Spanish shipbuilder Navantia announced during Sea Air Space 2018 that it is opening U.S. based office to strenghten its relationship with the U.S.
GD BIW and Navantia will use as a reference design the Hobart class AWD, the Australian variant of the F-100 frigate, and adapt it to the requirements of the U.S. Navy.
The United States represent a strategic country for Navantia with a history of more than 4 decades of fruitful cooperation with US defence industries such as Lockheed Matin, General Dynamics BIW, Raytheon and General Elecric.
One of the key projects for Navantia is its participation in the FFG(X) program in partnership with GD BIW. In this program GD BIW and Navantia will use as a reference design the Hobart class AWD, the Australian variant of the F-100 frigate, and adapt it to the requirements of the U.S. Navy. The F-100 Bazan-class frigate is the only ship of its type that has a proven track record of being built in different shipyards in different countries. There are currently 11 units in service (Spanish, Norwegian and Australian variants combined), with an expected total of 13 units operating in 2019.
Navantia booth at Sea Air Space 2018
Based on the well founded engagement with US defence industry, Navantia has taken the strategic decision to open a corporate office in Washington DC to strenghten its relationship with the US. This US office will significantly enhance Navantia's international presence by joining the current network of delegations established in Brazil, Norway, India, Turkey, Middle East, Singapore and the subsidiary Navantia Australia Pty Ltd.
