What the RN have purchased is a large NATO frigate hull that has good speed , range to this they have added a sensor & gun fit for the GP role as for CAMM and NSM numbers we will have to wait and seeRepulse wrote: ↑14 Feb 2024, 08:23T31 isn’t replacing the T23 like for like - what has been purchased is a platform with 12-24 CAMM and which is blind under the water. Sure, things can be added, but it’s not what was originally funded and to make it relevant money needs to be taken from other things.tomuk wrote: ↑14 Feb 2024, 08:16So how do you speed up T26?Repulse wrote: ↑14 Feb 2024, 08:09The top escorts (as you put it) would be tied up they can be deployed from the UK using the same rotation / availability model used by the RN for decades. Three OPVs to replace the B1s (or actually free up the B2s) isn’t “more OPVs” it’s maintaining what we have - same with MHPCs to replace the Hunts.tomuk wrote: ↑14 Feb 2024, 07:58You default to your position of more OPVs. (and top escorts we can't have or are tied up at home in you surge fleet)Repulse wrote: ↑14 Feb 2024, 07:27They absolutely are if all we are doing is defaulting to a solution without defining the question and ensuring it’s a priority.
We cannot afford the crew to forward base the existing T31s, so we already have a platform looking for a role and assuming we keep it (I hope we don’t) it’s going to take up precious resources to make it into something useful that wasn’t planned and take from elsewhere.
This means the B2s aren’t going to fill the B1 gap, so yes if we are effectively making the T31 decision again let’s learn the lesson and make the right choice more T26s combined with more OPVs.
T31 isn't looking for a role and isn't taking resources from elsewhere it is replacing the five gp T23s it is that straightforward. If the crew from those T23s have been used elsewhere in the meantime they are only returning to their proper role.
You won't get any more T26s until the mid 2030s.
As for saying that nothing can change in a decade is a programme that has purposely been put on a slow build drumbeat - I don’t believe you. The real problem is that things won’t change for the better until people stop putting frigate numbers ahead of requirements/outcomes.
T31 is just replacing T23 GP just maintaining what we have.
And what requirement is more OPVs fulfilling?
What’s with the more OPVs? One for one replacements for the B1s either directly or indirectly, and yes they will be doing exactly what they are doing today. Otherwise, what are you planning to gap?
Also as for role that is clear it is global patrol and keeping SLC open the same role the Type 26 GP's were to carry out and the same job the T-23-GP's were doing until they become worn out and were gapped by the RB2's