The problem is that if you use the same power-plant as T26, it is easier to use the same hull (steel is cheap), so where does the cost saving come from? Helo facilities, Sea Ceptor and a 5" gun I would all regard as necessary, so that only leaves the MK41 VLS to be deleted. Not much of a savin...

An accurate dagram showing from above and from side on side comparisons would be instructive it would not come as a surprise if the P.L.A.N built a pair of larger carriers at the Dalia shipyards though in this case its not the size that matters Any major country can build a big flat-top these days,...

Diesels weigh more than gas turbines, but I'm not at all sure that they use less space because GTs have huge throughputs of air and exhaust fumes, requiring substantial ducting through the ship to wherever they are. I suppose the layout of the ship would dictate exactly how much space the ducting w...

I have no argument with what you've posted (neat graphic, by the way!) but you didn't mention another potential cost saver: an off-the-shelf diesel power plant instead of the diesel/electric/GT combo. High maximum speed isn't really a requirement, as long as it can keep up with the fleet at cruisin...

Merry Christmas, and remember not to get too tipsy until after the Turkey's been polished off!

Agree with you Inch would be interesting to have an accurate diagram of comparitive present and future aircraft carriers showing size and capabilities , we have some very talented members here who may be able to have a look at this Seems like you're looking for this sort of thing, not sure how accu...

Just read your post. Very nice article, it fully justifies the reasoning behind properly sized surface combatants. Your summary is also very true, I do try and avoid using frigates/destroyer/corvette now, they are very woolly and mean lots of different things. I think there are either surface comba...

In what way are the Sachsens and Iver Huitfeldt class 'semi-credible'? As AAW frigates they have the same radar set as the Dutch De Zevens and are armed with 32x SM-2 Block IIIA, 32x ESSM AND 2x 21 RAM! Aside from NGS, they are well equipped, modern frigates - as are the 4x De Zevens, 4x Horizons a...

Just did a quick bit of late night research, by my count the following countries can only muster 24 surface combatants that could be considered "high end" between them: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Holland. I might add that quite a few of those classes are pretty marg...

If possibly there is a need for lighter frigates, we have many friends in Europe who can full fill that domain, where as very few can offer a credible long range force like the Royal Navy can. We should focus on maintain that, after all what better protects our national interests, our European cous...

All of the royal navy's surface combatants are 1st rated. Those ships can be expected to deploy any where in the world, unsupported, whilst maintaining a credible force. That means being able to defend its self from all domain's, and also being able to pack a punch. In the royal navy's case they ha...

First of all, all this "light frigate" stuff for me is NOT to save money, but to save NUMBERS of escorts. If RN was building T82 not T42, there wouldn't be 14 of them, I guess. If RN now wants to stick to "more than 19" escorts, it needs something cheaper. This was my startpoint...

@Engaging Strategy-san, thanks for response. Personally, the idea of "2nd-rated" is not easy to understand for me. For example, T23 is 1st-rated on ASW, but never on AAW. As a self defence, its AAW is "not-so-bad" and could be called "1st-rated". So, as Tony Williams-s...

Like should be compared with like. T22 B3 had a normal displacement of 4,200 tons, deep load 4,900 tons. T23 was designed for a normal displacement of 3,500 tons, 4,200 tons deep load, but due to various additions is now quoted as 4,900 tons (presumably deep load) and has absolutely no growth margi...

But the Type 23 is not that big, and neither was the Type 22 (another decent ship I think), so why can't an FLF be based on an updated one of these? For frigates Type 22 B3 & 23 are bigger than almost everything else out there. Both are ~5,000 ton platforms with nice growth margins. Yes, I thin...

Very nice blog and comment, thanks a lot. Which do you think was the main issue: "light" or "second-rate"? Both pose problems. In my opinion "second rate" escorts are simply not worth having, they never work out to be as cheap as their proponents suggest and they're mu...

Because the rail gun will require a rate of fire comparable to a gun. Quite beyond the test rig. Multiple Megawatts needed & far beyond "a simple diesel generator". Will need to tap into the host ships main grid. AB's don't have enough spare capacity so just Zumwalts need apply but on...

I believe you are mistaking a test rig for a yet to be designed, mature weapon system. A test rig that works and continues the US Navy's preference for plug and play CIWS systems like Phalanx and C-RAM. If the test rig can be run off a simple DG why would you expect the real thing to require vastly...

If that's true then nuclear (with huge overcapacity) is the way of the future since the latter two need huge amounts of energy to operate. However the UK is shying away from nuclear propulsion on cost grounds. Firstly, I hope you could see I was joking. I don't really want the RN to operate 46 Zumw...

Some great examples. I would also add the type 14 which is a close representation of the situation we are in now. Built to as a lighter, second tier to the expensive type 12 frigates, sound familiar? However they proved to be problematic and not well loved. It's been tired a couple of times, but ne...

Some blue sky thinking on the next generation light frigate: http://engagingstrategy.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/after-type-26-royal-navys-next.html Also, just to inject a bit of perspective into this debate, the Royal Navy do not operate "light" or "second rate" ships for a very good...

Okay, so the way I see it Missiles, Railguns and Laser CIWS are the way of the future. This concept also gives something to those who think that the RN needs a two tier fleet. 46x Zumwalt class: Build Cost- £92000m Operational Cost- £1196m 4x UKBF Cutters: Build Cost- £6m Operational Cost- 4m Total ...

Thank you for the kind words about the blog! My thoughts on the FAA/RAF thing is that at least this time the RN will have the same aircraft as the RAF. This is true, and also why I think the suggestion that later RAF F35 squadrons should operate the A variant are misplaced. If it happens it could en...

A good read. It's nice to see STOVL and TAG's being painted in a good light for a change. It think both can deliver the flexibility and the affordability we need right now, and I think it is reasonable to think the military can pull it off. IMO the tri-service TAG concept is the most exciting aspec...

My thoughts on the future of the QE, including the potential of V-22 for AAR & COD can be found here: http://engagingstrategy.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/queens-and-princes-road-ahead-for-uk.html As I set out in the article I think the flexible carrier concept the UK is developing is coming along qui...