I totally agree to you, while I am not sure T45 really needs TLAM. It should rather carry additional 48 CAMM, I think.abc123 wrote:The reason why I'm saying that the UK should have TLAMs integrated in their Type 45 is just because if you integrate them in 6 allready expencive Type 45 then you won't have to do it in Type 26, so those ships will be cheaper. As should be, because frigates should be cheaper than destroyers, because you need more of them. 6 Type 45 will probably be just enough ( yes 8 would be better ), but 8 Type 26 will not be enough.
Other solution is use land-attack capable SSMs like RBS-15 Mk3 or NSMs. You have to have them anyway, so why not have additional capability. Not all ground targets will be 1000 km inland or need 500 kg warhead.
Mark-san says, RN shall replace 13 T23 with 13 T26, and if not, it is a shrink. I do not agree.
T26 has many additional aspects compared to T23.
- 24-cell Mk.41 VLS presumably for TLAM
- large mission bay for flexibility
- 70-man EMF capability with Chinook capable flight deck.
These are all additional requirements which was not existing on T23. In other words, T26 is much "more" than just a T23 replacement. This made it large, expensive, and naturally un-affordable. It is RN's choice (or "fault"). They bet for more resource. They naturally lost and get similar resources they are spending for 13 T23. I think with current T26 design, hoping for 10 (or 11 at most) T26 to replace all 13 T23 is more proper.
# I think T26 shall better be designed 1000t FL less, and make it "mission bay + 50 EMF + 8 NSM or like + CAPTAS-4" for 8 of them, and "32-cell Mk.41 VLS with TLAM" for 5 of them, in addition to their basic 1x 127mm, 48x CAMM armaments = select between VLS and mission bay + EMF.
For this reason, I am rather positive to look for 5 T31 light frigates to compensate 8 T26(all-mighty). Even if it Cutlass (say 3300-3500t FL hull with 1x 127mm, 24x CAMM, hull-mounted-sonar, 1x Wildcat, 8 NSM (or like), (and CAPTAS-2 FFBNW)) will be fine for me. I think it is proper escort. If you combine T31 with T26, T31 can "shepherd" the RFAs, leaving T26 to position herself on "ASW-best position".
I agree it should have better be my (or our) fantasy 2 smaller T26 (1 with CAPTAS4 and 1 without), but RN just did not select that way.
And now, it is too late to "shorten" T26. Just go with 8 T26 and 5 light frigate option. Anyway, it is not that bad I think.