If I recall correctly Babcock is involved in the IH project which mean it will be derivation of the Arrowhead 140 design rather than derivation of the original IH design. And also I recall it's already at preliminary contract (pls correct me if I'm mistaken regarding the contract here)
While for 30FFM I also recall it has very PaWaFuLl political push from both President Jokowi himself & mbok Banteng herself. I strongly doubt even our "Mahapatih" can divert / reject those two.
Does our mahapatih still have power today ? Seriously am asking, since the less appearance of him in media noawadays.
Regarding to the contract, if my brain serve me well, am afraid that there's not yet sign. Only Representation of Japanese that have visit our SOE shipyard.
Surely that 30 FFM boom on media give me a tremor, a shock that come from the country that never sale its armament before, and would eye us as very potential customer (i mean, where's our money to pay it?).
If we go with Babcock arrowhead frigate, i thought its only on par with PKR capability, since its main role is as complementary ship for type 26 frigate.
About La'fayette midlife upgrade, the last news that i read were they would be installed Aster 15 capable VLS, thos make me wonder wich part that would be surgery to make room for the VLS.