Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has selected UK-based naval design consultancy BMT Defence Services Ltd as an approved supplier. Navantia's accreditation of BMT Defence Services, a subsidiary of BMT Ltd, strengthens the Bath-based company's international reputation and presence.

"This is a significant achievement and marks another major step in our international expansion," says BMT Defence Services' Managing Director Roger Cooper. "As a leading independent naval design house, I am delighted that BMT's experience and expertise have been recognised by Navantia, one of Europe's most successful shipbuilders.

"Now that Navantia's thorough accreditation process has been successfully completed and we are an approved supplier, we can provide Navantia with high-end naval design services 'as and when' required."

With a shipbuilding heritage stretching back over 270 years, Navantia's innovative, cutting-edge products include aircraft carriers, frigates, mine hunters, patrol craft, survey vessels, oil tankers, submarines and naval weapon systems. Navantia is also renowned for its military and civil ship repair and conversion capabilities.

BMT has over 18 years' experience providing naval design services for the UK Ministry of Defence and defence prime contractors. Among BMT's most prominent projects have been the production of the winning platform designs for the Batch 2 Trafalgar-class (Astute-class predecessor) submarine and the CVF aircraft carrier.

BMT has also achieved approved supplier status for French naval defence company DCN. Working for the joint DCN-Thales (MOPA2) team, BMT is currently exploring synergies between the CVF project and the proposed French aircraft carrier, PA2.

In a further expansion of BMT's international activities, the company recently opened an office in Melbourne, Australia. The new office services several contracts won from the Australian government in support of its warship procurement programme.