1: On T31
When we discuss about "perfectly uparmed River B2 OPV", it is a ship with a 57mm gun, helo-hangar, good range. When this level is achieved, the next "mission creep" is adding 12 CAMM. Here comes T31, as of now. Therefore, T31 for Gulf, or even South East Asia is no problem.
When the globe gets more dangerous, up-arm T31 to make them a proper "2nd-rate frigate". It will surely take 1-2 years, but much better than building from scratch. Having this option make me feel OK with current lightly-armed T31.
To verify this concept, I think one or two T31s can be up-armed as such, in near future, as we frequently discuss here. For example,
"T31-mid", added with HMS, 12-more CAMM (total 24) and 8 I-SSGW, added with 2 ASW-oriented UAVs, for example? (point-1)
2: On T32
With the Mine Countermeasure Logistic Support Vessel (MCLSV) to come, I'm wondering why not this (presumably) PSV-based hull, be also used also for ALL the tasks T32 as a drone mother ship are planned to cover. (point-2)
Making a "good escort" out of T32 will make it expensive. In that case, I cannot stop thinking "just, why not more T26?". Anything "more fighty" will ultimately mean "a T26", I guess. (point-3)
3: And, combining point-2 and 3, I'm wondering if RN really needs T32 at all?
For example, if it is £2B total for "5 T32 or equivalent";
The "T32 program" might be
- building 5 units with £285M each
- with detailed design + initial cost for brand new (or heavily modified) design with £570M (2-unit cost equivalent)
As an outcome, UK will have the 2nd UK-origin escort design (along with T26), or 3rd escort design (along with T26 and T31) which can be proposed for export.
Not bad, but I cannot stop thinking of;
"Alternative mixed program" might be
- building one more T26 with £800M (all initial cost is already payed)
- purchase 3 more "MCLSV" to be named "multi-purpose drone Logistic Support Vessel" with £300M total
- building 3 more
"T31-mid" with remaining £900M (2 ASW-oriented UAVs each might not fit within this budget, though).
"T26-lite based plan" might be
- building three more T26-lite with £667M each, replacing 5 inch gun and two CIWS with a 57mm gun, replace the 24-cell Mk.41 VLS with 24 cell CAMM (mount all 48 CAMM there), cut the flight deck by 5m (no need for Chinook capable), and by these two modifications enlarge the mission bay by 30-40% in its size. Looks like "T32 in heavily ASW oriented configuration"?