However, answering a question on 13 April about Type 32 procurement, Minister of State for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin was less specific.
"The programme and procurement strategy for the Type 32 frigate will be decided following the concept phase, which has not yet been launched," he said.
ref:
https://www.forces.net/news/sea-vessels ... now-so-far and elsewhere.
This is what we know. No mention that T32 is exclusively to be built in Rosyth. If it follows how the T31 program proceeded, it WILL be competition. If it follows the T26 program, it will not. But, in this case, rationale for setting up the second frigate-capable shipbuilding industry will disappear? The only rationale was competition. *1
Personally, if BAE Clyde can win T32 contract (may be teamed up with Cammel Laird?), it will open up the possibility to make T83 a cruiser = only 4 to be built (because it will be expensive). If cost rises (which is highly likely), only 3 will be there. Here I think T32 can "save the day" of the era T83 is to be built, which must cover from 2037 (after the last T26) to 2055-2060 (when the first T26 may decommission). Keeping a shipyard for 18-23 years with building only 4 (or 3) escorts (even if it is a "cruiser") is very very very very inefficient.
Note, strategy "continuous shipbuilding" must anyway also consider how to keep the Clyde going on, for sure. If Clyde become not good, then Rosyth will be building T83. But, rationale for setting up Rosyth then disappears, and UK will lose its world leading escort designing team, who succeeded in exporting T26 design worldwide.
*1: Without competition, Babcock will just become the second BAES. And, naturally, without RN/MOD big effort to "know" the details of ship-building and critically reviewing things, the cost will rise. Note, all other nations are taking big effort in "knowing the details of ship building and critically reviewing things" to control the cost of their sole shipbuilder. It is
only UK which is "hoping" for competition to solve everything, very unique approach. The problem is, monopoly (or bankrupting of the loser) is also one of the typical outcome of "competition". Anyway, Rosyth must be prepared for losing the T32 bid. And they actually state so = designed to go on without frigate contracts).