Tempest414 wrote:6 x T-45
8 x T-26
8 x T-31
5 x B2 Rivers
3 x B1 Rivers
I think you are right in line with current planning and if anything the T31 number might be a bit low. I think 10 could be a reasonable possibility.
My question would be do we really want up to ten T31's at the expense of four or five Type 26's? I suppose it all depends on what the T31's end up looking like.
Tempest414 wrote:...with this task in mind I would go for A140's as the T-31....
It the T31 numbers are expected to be raised with a follow-on more capable second batch, the choice between Leander and the A140 becomes even more complicated in my opinion.
If we look forward to what a higher spec T31 would look like which concept offers more?
In some ways the Arrowhead 140 could be as capable than a T26. Up to 16 Harpoon can be carried, along with 32x Mk41 cells plus plenty of extra space for CAMM on the weapons deck. A Mk8 or Mk45 medium gun could be fitted along with 2 Phalanx if required. All this and still space for a Merlin, 4 RHIBS and 3 ISO's plus 2087 if required.
Taken to extreme that could be,
Mk45
24x TLAM
48x CAMM (and/or Spear3)
16x Harpoon
2x Phalanx
2x 30mm's
Artisan
2150 and 2087
Merlin capable flight deck and hanger
Combined with the 30knt top speed and 9000nm range its looking hard to beat. Realistically though it highly unlikely any T31's would ever get a TLAM capability or 16x Harpoon but why not future proof a design just in case?
How much would a vessel as listed above cost if added as a subsequent batch to an initial build of five? If the basic A140 can be built in the UK for around £250m around £400m could be plausible. That's a lot of frigate for a lot less than the cost of an FTI.
All hypothetical at this stage but if a higher spec follow-on batch is planned for I think weighting up the pros and cons of Leander vs A140 is worthy of discussion.