Interesting debate but very little consensus that I can detect.
In an effort to simplify the debate,
RN has or will have just enough Tier 1 escorts and auxiliaries to provide a credible CSG capability and protect the CASD.
2x CVF
8x T26
6x T45
4x Tides
3x FSS
It’s a solid force but all of these vessels need to remain active and avoid the dreaded extended readiness.
Excluding the MCMVs, their replacements and the survey vessels, current planning suggests by 2030 this leaves,
5x T31
5x RB2
2x Albion
3x Bays
2x Waves
Argus
The status of the Points (or replacements) after 2026 appears uncertain or at least undecided.
Current planning shows no sign of any sale of the RB2s or the T31s so I think we all have to accept that they are staying for the foreseeable.
That leaves the Albions, Bays, Waves and Argus to be replaced by the MRSS programme in the 2030s.
The escorts for the MRSS vessels are to be five T32 Frigates and there is no program on the horizon to replace the RB1s at this stage.
I estimate the total cost of the proposed T32 and MRSS programmes at around £5bn over 14 years starting in 2026. It’s a lot of money.
IMO there are a number of possibilities to achieve a similar or better outcome to current planning.
My Proposal - The budget option:
1. Cancel T32 and MRSS programmes.
2. Upgrade T31s by adding additional weapons/sensors
- Move 57mm to B position. Add 127mm to A position. Retain both 40mm for both a port/starboard arc.
- Add 32 CAMM
- Add 24 Mk41 cells
- Add 8x NSM (Retain space for 16 canisters)
- Add 2150 and 2087.
- Add a deck crane and improve access between mission spaces.
Total cost for the 5 hulls: £800m
3. Build five compact LSVs in the 130m class. Something similar to a Vard Series 7 313 but with the beam narrowed to 22m and a top speed of 24knts.
https://vardmarine.com/wp-content/uploa ... -7-313.pdf
Fit a 57mm, 2x 40mm and Artisan with CAMM added via PODs if required.
The two spot flight deck, hanger space for 4 medium helicopters, stern ramp and 4 davits make these highly versatile and very capable.
Aim for a cost of £900m for the five OPVs.
4. Convert the Albions by adding hanger space for 2 medium helicopters and additional heavy lift UAVs. Add 57mm, 2x40mm and allocate space for CAMM via PODs. Complete comprehensive LIFEX and push OSDs back to 2050. Reactivate both Albions.
Total cost: £300m
5. Build two 200m LHDs optimised for Amphibious Assault and MALE Drones. Aim for a capacity of,
- 8 medium helicopters
- 12 MALE or heavy lift drones
- 2 LCU in a floodable dock
- 4 LCVP or CB90 via davits
- 40t crane plus ability to launch and recover mexeflotes.
- 650lm RORO
- Add 4x40mm, 24 CAMM and Artisan
- Top speed 24knts
- Range 10000 nmi
Total cost: £1.2bn
IMO this would give RN a massively more capable fleet for a total cost of around £3.2bn. That’s a saving of £1.7bn from the expected cost of the T32 and MRSS programmes.
The benefits would be clear:
Amphib and LSV capacity of,
- 12 LCUs
- 40 Medium helicopters
- 26 landing spots plus 2x 200m flight decks for MALE drones
- Over 4500lm of RORO
- Over 2500 PAX
The £1.7bn saved could build an additional two T26s or any number of other priorities including increasing manpower, investing in additional UAVs, USVs and XLUUVs.
This may be the budget option but IMO it’s a better option than current planning.