donald_of_tokyo wrote:HMS Westminster got SeaCeptor. How is it going on? From my memory Argyll was quoted as a candidate. But, is it moving forward?
I'm afraid, SeaCeptor update "may" be quietly ignoring the 5 T23GPs. For example, Argyll is planned to be decommissioned on 2023. Even if she get SeaCeptor in 2017, it means she will go away 6 years later. Not cost effective, I'm afraid. Would be better to "life-extend" SeaWolf for another 7-8 years.
On the other hand, T23 further life extension will be needed. If the 1st T26 to be ordered on 2017 (was 2015), it will commission in 2024 (was 2022). To make the last T26 meet 2035 (St Albans's decommission), they will need to be built in 1.5 years basis.
- T26-1 2025
- T26-2 2026.5
- T26-3 2028
- T26-4 2029.5
- T26-5 2031
- T26-6 2032.5
- T26-7 2034
- T26-8 2035.5
And anyway, RN needs to life-extend the 5 T23 GPs for another ~3 years. In this case, if Argyll gets SeaCeptor on 2017 then she has 8 years (by 2025), if Lancaster on 2017 then 9 years (by 2026), Iron Duke on 2018 then 10 years (by 2028), and so on. (here I assumed 2 T23 to get SeaCeptor each year, without any evidence. Just "guesstimate" sorry).
So the next ship to get SeaCeptor is important, I guess. Namely, if it is Argyll (T23GP-1) or Northumberland (T23ASW-2).
Guess What according to the "Future Frigate...." Briefing document they aren't!