Assuming both that the Ajax programme goes ahead and that the Ares variant can have the internal racks removed to allow for a total of 10 crew and dismounts and be fitted with a RS6 RWS with Javelin & 30x113mm cannon, then would it not be better to create one decent armoured brigade with 1 recce...

With regards to SSTD/Sonar 2170, I believe that all the MOD has ordered is three Fit-To-Receive kits, effectively meaning that just three of the five Type 31 will be FFBNW.

One area where we could save some money to reinvest in higher priority areas is the 5-inch gun on the Type 26s. I have seen figures of up to £60 million each for these weapons. The Type 26s are our blue water submarine hunters and we are unlikely to want to expose the small number we have to attack ...

Agreed - 8 NSM, 24 CAMM, 57mm & 40mm guns and a Wildcat helo would make a good second-tier escort, except for ASW... AFAIK only three kits are to be purchased for the Type 31 to enable them to be fitted with SSTD and I believe the RN only has a limited number of SSTD systems, certainly not enoug...

A good analysis, which arguably places the Type 31 below a second-tier escort (which would typically have more SAM, 8 or more SSM and some ASW capability), but above a high-end patrol ship (which would typically not have SAM). A third-tier escort or very high-end patrol ship!? The Type 31s in my vie...

I don’t disagree that the RN expects the Type 31s to undertake the flag-flying presence and constabulary roles. However, the announcement on 2nd November 2021 by the then First Sea Lord that the Type 31s would be fitted for, but not with Mk.41 VLS indicates that the RN also wants the Type 31s to be ...

By home, I meant not just the UK EEZ, but the North Atlantic and European waters in general. A major threat going forward is likely to be sabotage directed at CNI such as undersea cables. This will require increased surveillance of Russian vessels, a task for which the Batch II Rivers are ideal, and...

Does the RN really need to replace the Batch I Rivers though? With the RN no longer responsible for fishery protection anywhere in the UK EEZ, the requirement is different and arguably more focussed on shadowing Russian ships. Basing OPVs overseas for defence engagement is all very well, but the rea...

Is 16 Air Assault a viable formation any more, bearing in mind its limited mobility, protection and firepower? More to the point, if I have understood Future Soldier correctly, it is meant to be part of a Global Response Force? Sounds impressive, but how viable is it with an air mobility force of ju...

The RN really needs more ASW-capable ships – 8 Type 26 is not enough, especially with the extremely limited ASW capabilities of the Type 45. The Type 31 can never be a Tier 1 ASW ship given its hull and propulsion, but does it need to be? The future French FDI appears similar to the Type 31 in terms...

Whilst some of the arguments made in this forum for cancelling I-SSGW in favour of FCASW seem logical and rational, it is hard to ignore the fact that every other navy in the world is procuring current generation SSM such as NSM for their warships. If we had a greater number of SSN and/or a greater ...

It is all very well talking about a 24 escort fleet, however that will be pointless if the majority of those 24 ships are under armed and in particular lacking in ASW capability. If the 5 (Batch 1?) Type 31 only come fitted with 12 CAMM, 1 x 57mm, 2 x 40mm and a Wildcat, then it is stretching credib...

We are already there, just that we will have 6 Type 45 and 8 Type 26. If the Type 31 enters service with just 1 x 57mm, 2 x 40mm, 12 CAMM and a helicopter, it cannot realistically be classed as a frigate. It is a patrol ship, a large and very capable one, but a patrol ship nonetheless and should be ...

Apologies, I can see now this should have gone in the Escort thread!

In terms of the best design for Type 31, should we not be looking at the original Absalon class from which the Iver Huitfeldt and Arrowhead 140 are derived? AFAIK, the Absalon can carry two Merlin, approx. 200 troops, two RIBs and two decent-sized boats launched from the stern gantry. This capabilit...

Perhaps one answer to the shortage of escorts and the challenges posed by the Type31e programme is to look at the Italian PPA, which is being built in different versions. Perhaps 4 Type 31 could be built in a Full version with the BAE Mk 45 gun, 48 CAMM, 8 SSM, HMS & TAS with another 4 of a Ligh...