Current & Future Escorts - General Discussion

[SW1]

Batch 2s were only "£130m each" (actually more than that, I think) because of TOBA
The Irish OPVs built at Appledore were EUR 71.9m each. A River B3 would probably be around 2500t and £90-95m, allowing for recent inflation

Pie in the sky costing. A Spainish BAM which would be an opv with an hanger ordered in 2020 was 185m euro. The two additional ones ordered in June of this year were 550 euros. Are you suggesting we are going to design and build a similar ship at half the cost in the U.K.

[Caribbean]

The simplest option would be to license another VARD design (using the the VARD 7/100 as an example), just like the Irish did. I based my costs on the Irish vessels, upgraded for additional displacement & complexity plus an additional percentage for inflation.

BAM? Apples & oranges comparison.

[shark bait]

The Meteoro-class (BAM) is the right type of small ship for an oceanic fleet like the Royal Navy. I didn't know the Spanish were building more so that's cool!

Also for the "pie in the sky costing", consider that Spanish state owned enterprises are not comparable to UK private yards. Hilarious that in possession of solid figures for how much ships cost in the last decade, "pie in the sky" still delivers much cheaper cost for the next decade even with record inflation.

[Poiuytrewq]

You could fit a tail and HMS on T31 (design work is being done for the Polish version plus Danish experience) and it could cover ASW work. It wouldn't be as good as a T23\T26 but would be better than an OPV.

Why not experiment with containerised Captas 2 or 4 Compact now to see what ASW performance levels can achieved.

The slippage in the T26 program ISD’s are now confirmed and questions marks continue over the realistic OSD’s for the T23 ASW. This is a priority now.

Alternately you could use the T31 to cover non TAPS\CSG tasks i.e. SNMG1\2 keeping the T23ASW for 'Sunday Best'.

The T31 will cover that as they commission. Adding another 3 or 4 hulls at the end of a 5 batch run won’t necessarily help.

Three times faster build than T31 with the production line hot? What about procurement, design etc. for an undecided OPV potentially dropped into a new yard. Forth took three years to come into service from steel cut. Venturer won't take 9 years.

3 OPVs could be built in Rosyth and handed over to RN in 2028 with all three commissioned in 2029. So effectively RN would have 3x 115m OPVs commissioned before 2030 with 2 years to finalise the design and sign contracts before cutting steel in 2026. It fills the gap.

Another 3x T31 is a good idea but they wouldn’t all be commissioned until 2024 at the earliest. I think 1SL took into his consideration. It’s 2028 to 2032 where the real gap will appear.

T31 has more efficient crewing than previous\alternate vessels and will have more days at sea\require less maintenance it might not beat an OPV on those measures but the capability is much greater.

No argument but they won’t be ready by 2028.

Costs. What were the Batch 2s £130m each? So this 'Batch 3' River or equivalent with hangar built at Rosyth to fill the after the recent period of inflation will be a bargain? I can't see it.

Lots of options here.

• RN could decide to build 3x 115m RB3 at Rosyth between 2026 and 2028 @£125m or £375m for the class. Effectively a similar amount to a single T31. Alternatively a Vard design could be chosen with similar characteristics to the River class.

• RN could build build a RB3 or a Vard design under license in Appledore. Construction could start by 2025 but delivery would likely be no faster than from Rosyth. Unless a pipeline of work was confirmed to follow the OPVs this option should be discarded. Classic feast and famine.

• RN could move straight onto the Amphib replacement program and build the Dutch Holland class replacements if deemed acceptable. This could be a modified Damen crossover or Enforcer/Crossover hybrid. Still plenty of time to make this happen as a decision is due to be made next spring on whether a joint program with the Dutch is optimal.
  
  IMO it’s highly unlikely Damen will let RN walk away therefore the Dutch program will happen.
  
  It’s clear now that current planning must change, this has been obvious for years but somehow the most optimistic scenario was chosen as current planning. Leaving this decision for post SDSR 2025 will be much too late. The decision needs to happen within 6 months to avoid the virtually inevitable crash in escort numbers at the end of this decade.

[SW1]

The simplest option would be to license another VARD design (using the the VARD 7/100 as an example), just like the Irish did. I based my costs on the Irish vessels, upgraded for additional displacement & complexity plus an additional percentage for inflation.

BAM? Apples & oranges comparison.

Instead of coming up with numbers on ships that aren’t being made perhaps better to compare with actual ships being built now with the require minimum capabilities for cost purposes. There is always low balls number bandied about with nothing in the real world to back it up just to make it look gd so I can buy more.

If we are going to build a new class of small vessels then as a minimum and benchmark they would need to have all the capabilities that the Dutch Holland class has for the roles we need them to undertake. Anything less than that is simply wasting our time.

[Poiuytrewq]

Instead of coming up with numbers on ships that aren’t being made perhaps better to compare with actual ships being built now with the require minimum capabilities for cost purposes. There is always low balls number bandied about with nothing in the real world to back it up just to make it look gd so I can buy more.

Better yet, why not provide a direct comparison with vessels that are in build in the yard that you intend to build the OPVs.

The basic T31 are around 6000t and £275m plus GFE. A stretched RB2 will be around 2500t. Effectively 40% of the displacement of a T31 and built to a lower standard.

BAE knows the hull inside out, knows exactly what is possible and knows exactly what it will cost. RN has been using the hulls extensively and has nothing bad to say about them.

With all the improvements in infrastructure and as experience increases and skill levels continue to improve, the inefficiency gap between UK yards and other European yards will narrow.

£125m is more than enough to build a simple OPV in the U.K. in a yard such as Rosyth with the facilities that are now on site.

If we are going to build a new class of small vessels then as a minimum and benchmark they would need to have all the capabilities that the Dutch Holland class has for the roles we need them to undertake. Anything less than that is simply wasting our time.

What can the Holland class do that a stretched 115m River cannot?

[SW1]

Instead of coming up with numbers on ships that aren’t being made perhaps better to compare with actual ships being built now with the require minimum capabilities for cost purposes. There is always low balls number bandied about with nothing in the real world to back it up just to make it look gd so I can buy more.

Better yet, why not provide a direct comparison with vessels that are in build in the yard that you intend to build the OPVs.

The basic T31 are around 6000t and £275m plus GFE. A stretched RB2 will be around 2500t. Effectively 40% of the displacement of a T31 and built to a lower standard.

BAE knows the hull inside out, knows exactly what is possible and knows exactly what it will cost. RN has been using the hulls extensively and has nothing bad to say about them.

With all the improvements in infrastructure and as experience increases and skill levels continue to improve, the inefficiency gap between UK yards and other European yards will narrow.

£125m is more than enough to build a simple OPV in the U.K. in a yard such as Rosyth with the facilities that are now on site.

If we are going to build a new class of small vessels then as a minimum and benchmark they would need to have all the capabilities that the Dutch Holland class has for the roles we need them to undertake. Anything less than that is simply wasting our time.

What can the Holland class do that a stretched 115m River cannot?

BAE doesn’t own Rosyth. This stretched opv you talk off doesn’t exist and cost to displacement are not linear it’s the systems and capabilities that will determine cost within reason.


I use the Holland class as an example of the capabilities that it offers and a ship that exists.
Namely as I have said many times the need for gd sensors and communications, sea keeping and endurance. The ability to embark a helicopter and boarding teams. That it can deploy two boats for boarding whilst also retaining a sea rescue boat capability.

If you said to be the program cost for 5 such ships is in the 1.5 billion pound category I would
say likely.

[shark bait]

The basic T31 are around 6000t and £275m

The Navy is paying £400m for each T31. This is published MOD data.

[Caribbean]

If we are going to build a new class of small vessels then as a minimum and benchmark they would need to have all the capabilities that the Dutch Holland class has for the roles we need them to undertake. Anything less than that is simply wasting our time.

The Hollands replaced 4 Karel Doorman frigates & are built to higher standards than the average OPV, with very high-end sensors. They are said to be able to fit SAMs. By exceeding 100m they move to a different set of build standards, as well. Basically, they are patrol frigates, not OPVs. Allowing for inflation, a Holland-class would be £167m today

Now, I really like the Holland class and would be happy to see us have something similar, but that is not really what we are talking about. If we are trying to plug tha gap in escort numbers that will hit in 2028, then we need something quick to build, but with the ability to operate a heicopter, that could be sold off relatively soon after, as the T26/ T31 all come into service.

ie A simple, sub-100m OPV, with a hangar.

[Tempest414]

The basic T31 are around 6000t and £275m

The Navy is paying £400m for each T31. This is published MOD data.

It is well published that the unit price of T-31 is 268 million and the program cost is 400 million just like T-26 is 850 million per ship at unit cost and 1.13 billion ar program costs

[SW1]

If we are going to build a new class of small vessels then as a minimum and benchmark they would need to have all the capabilities that the Dutch Holland class has for the roles we need them to undertake. Anything less than that is simply wasting our time.

The Hollands replaced 4 Karel Doorman frigates & are built to higher standards than the average OPV, with very high-end sensors. They are said to be able to fit SAMs. By exceeding 100m they move to a different set of build standards, as well. Basically, they are patrol frigates, not OPVs. Allowing for inflation, a Holland-class would be £167m today

Now, I really like the Holland class and would be happy to see us have something similar, but that is not really what we are talking about. If we are trying to plug tha gap in escort numbers that will hit in 2028, then we need something quick to build, but with the ability to operate a heicopter, that could be sold off relatively soon after, as the T26/ T31 all come into service.

ie A simple, sub-100m OPV, with a hangar.

You aren’t building anything new to plug a gap in 2028. There is no simple opv with a hanger to build.

[zavve]

They are said to be able to fit SAMs

At least according to the NL wiki, there are no provisions for SAMs

[donald_of_tokyo]

...Now, I really like the Holland class and would be happy to see us have something similar, but that is not really what we are talking about. If we are trying to plug the gap in escort numbers that will hit in 2028, then we need something quick to build, but with the ability to operate a heicopter, that could be sold off relatively soon after, as the T26/ T31 all come into service.

Very much good summary for what RN need to fill the gap by reduction in ASW frigate number.

But, why it need to be a ship?

For a shortage of 1 ASW frigate, each, I would rather
- add 6 MQ-9B SeaGuardian ASW. (The 16 MQ-9B costs £1.76Bn through-life cost. As a rule of thumb, ship's acquiring cost is about a half of its through-life cost. So, buying 6 MQ-9B SeaGuardian will be equivalent to £1.76Bn * 0.5 / 16 * 6 = £330M equivalent for a ship. Actually, as the initial cost is included in the "16 MQ-9B £1.76Bn" figure, it will be cheaper)
- operate them for 25-30 years
- on 2036 when the 8 T26 ASW frigates gets ready, disband 3 Merlin AW101 in place (here I assume MQ-9B SeaGuardian ASW costs about a half of a Merlin)
Then, ASW capability resumes.

For tasks "other than" asw, many of the peacetime jobs can be covered by "a few more OPVs". For a moment, lease 2 RNZN OPVs. If more is needed, Irish OPVs are also candidates. Building a few more OPVs (River B2 or alike) might be good, but when the frigate number comes back, RN shall need to sell a few of them. (selling OPVs are not difficult. See HMS Clyde).

[new guy]

The basic T31 are around 6000t and £275m

The Navy is paying £400m for each T31. This is published MOD data.

programme cost.
Each ship is in the close to £300m range.

[shark bait]

programme cost.

Also know as the actual cost.

Dream up whatever numbers, it doesn't mater, the Royal Navy is still paying £2bn for 5 ships.

[new guy]

programme cost.

Also know as the actual cost.

Dream up whatever numbers, it doesn't mater, the Royal Navy is still paying £2bn for 5 ships.

It includes stuff like the £70m integration centre, separate costs.
Also this applies to OPV's aswell so this point is not with-standing

[Poiuytrewq]

BAE doesn’t own Rosyth.

We can agree on that.

This stretched opv you talk off doesn’t exist and cost to displacement are not linear it’s the systems and capabilities that will determine cost within reason.

Completely agree which suggests that it will be even cheaper as most of the expensive systems are already paid for in the RB2 hull. It a 25m stretch plus a hanger.

If UK PLC cannot to put 3x OPVs on the water within 5 years it really is game over.

I use the Holland class as an example of the capabilities that it offers and a ship that exists.
Namely as I have said many times the need for gd sensors and communications, sea keeping and endurance. The ability to embark a helicopter and boarding teams. That it can deploy two boats for boarding whilst also retaining a sea rescue boat capability.

The Holland class is a good vessel but it does not have a patrol speed capability, therefore the RHIBs and helicopter combo are vital for interdiction. The RB2 can achieve 25knts and with a lengthened hull may achieve 26knts or more. The stretch would enable a Wildcat hanger plus extra fuel tanks and solid stores to be added to improve range and endurance plus the amidships mission area could embark up to 6x TEU and 4 RHIBs. Trying to find that combination of attributes in an OPV or light Frigate design isn’t easy.

Alternatively if a Holland class performance is all that is required then why not just build the Vard 7 313? Simple solution.

If you said to be the program cost for 5 such ships is in the 1.5 billion pound category I would
say likely.

How can 12,500t of simple OPVs comprised of a modified design already in service with RN cost the equivalent of 120,000t of clean sheet FSS?

Not even remotely realistic.

[SW1]

BAE doesn’t own Rosyth.

We can agree on that.

This stretched opv you talk off doesn’t exist and cost to displacement are not linear it’s the systems and capabilities that will determine cost within reason.

Completely agree which suggests that it will be even cheaper as most of the expensive systems are already paid for in the RB2 hull. It a 25m stretch plus a hanger.

If UK PLC cannot to put 3x OPVs on the water within 5 years it really is game over.

I use the Holland class as an example of the capabilities that it offers and a ship that exists.
Namely as I have said many times the need for gd sensors and communications, sea keeping and endurance. The ability to embark a helicopter and boarding teams. That it can deploy two boats for boarding whilst also retaining a sea rescue boat capability.

The Holland class is a good vessel but it does not have a patrol speed capability, therefore the RHIBs and helicopter combo are vital for interdiction. The RB2 can achieve 25knts and with a lengthened hull may achieve 26knts or more. The stretch would enable a Wildcat hanger plus extra fuel tanks and solid stores to be added to improve range and endurance plus the amidships mission area could embark up to 6x TEU and 4 RHIBs. Trying to find that combination of attributes in an OPV or light Frigate design isn’t easy.

Alternatively if a Holland class performance is all that is required then why not just build the Vard 7 313? Simple solution.

If you said to be the program cost for 5 such ships is in the 1.5 billion pound category I would
say likely.

How can 12,500t of simple OPVs comprised of a modified design already in service with RN cost the equivalent of 120,000t of clean sheet FSS?

Not even remotely realistic.

The river 2 a design that actually existed was first ordered in 2013 and first ship delivered in 2017. This “stretched” version doesnt exist so requires design effort prior to start of production and it is not in uk service. 2028 is 4 years away with no yards willing to build it, so good luck.

Rhibs and helicopter capability are vital for any ship doing interdiction regardless of ship speed. Ship speed is more important if the vessel is required to preform escort. These vessels are not capable of that.


The sensors, command and weapons systems in particular required will add most of the cost. But if you want to compare simple vessels then go back to the Spanish offshore patrol vessels they would require additional boat capacity but if you simply looks at the cost and transfer to the uk it’s not unreasonable to assume your not far off £200m per ship territory

[Tempest414]

BAE doesn’t own Rosyth.

We can agree on that.

This stretched opv you talk off doesn’t exist and cost to displacement are not linear it’s the systems and capabilities that will determine cost within reason.

Completely agree which suggests that it will be even cheaper as most of the expensive systems are already paid for in the RB2 hull. It a 25m stretch plus a hanger.

If UK PLC cannot to put 3x OPVs on the water within 5 years it really is game over.

I use the Holland class as an example of the capabilities that it offers and a ship that exists.
Namely as I have said many times the need for gd sensors and communications, sea keeping and endurance. The ability to embark a helicopter and boarding teams. That it can deploy two boats for boarding whilst also retaining a sea rescue boat capability.

The Holland class is a good vessel but it does not have a patrol speed capability, therefore the RHIBs and helicopter combo are vital for interdiction. The RB2 can achieve 25knts and with a lengthened hull may achieve 26knts or more. The stretch would enable a Wildcat hanger plus extra fuel tanks and solid stores to be added to improve range and endurance plus the amidships mission area could embark up to 6x TEU and 4 RHIBs. Trying to find that combination of attributes in an OPV or light Frigate design isn’t easy.

Alternatively if a Holland class performance is all that is required then why not just build the Vard 7 313? Simple solution.

If you said to be the program cost for 5 such ships is in the 1.5 billion pound category I would
say likely.

How can 12,500t of simple OPVs comprised of a modified design already in service with RN cost the equivalent of 120,000t of clean sheet FSS?

Not even remotely realistic.

The river 2 a design that actually existed was first ordered in 2013 and first ship delivered in 2017. This “stretched” version doesnt exist so requires design effort prior to start of production and it is not in uk service. 2028 is 4 years away with no yards willing to build it, so good luck.

Rhibs and helicopter capability are vital for any ship doing interdiction regardless of ship speed. Ship speed is more important if the vessel is required to preform escort. These vessels are not capable of that.


The sensors, command and weapons systems in particular required will add most of the cost. But if you want to compare simple vessels then go back to the Spanish offshore patrol vessels they would require additional boat capacity but if you simply looks at the cost and transfer to the uk it’s not unreasonable to assume your not far off £200m per ship territory

I think we could build a 110 by 16 meter ship built to OPV standards fitted with a good radar and CMS hangar for SH-60 and flight deck for a Merlin plus a working deck with a 20 ton crane armed with 57mm plus FFBNW a Phalanx on the hangar roof for about 160 million

A ship of this type would be able to conduct global patrol and interdiction plus if fitted with the Phalanx and embarked Wildcat limited convoy duties

[SW1]

BAE doesn’t own Rosyth.

We can agree on that.

This stretched opv you talk off doesn’t exist and cost to displacement are not linear it’s the systems and capabilities that will determine cost within reason.

Completely agree which suggests that it will be even cheaper as most of the expensive systems are already paid for in the RB2 hull. It a 25m stretch plus a hanger.

If UK PLC cannot to put 3x OPVs on the water within 5 years it really is game over.

I use the Holland class as an example of the capabilities that it offers and a ship that exists.
Namely as I have said many times the need for gd sensors and communications, sea keeping and endurance. The ability to embark a helicopter and boarding teams. That it can deploy two boats for boarding whilst also retaining a sea rescue boat capability.

The Holland class is a good vessel but it does not have a patrol speed capability, therefore the RHIBs and helicopter combo are vital for interdiction. The RB2 can achieve 25knts and with a lengthened hull may achieve 26knts or more. The stretch would enable a Wildcat hanger plus extra fuel tanks and solid stores to be added to improve range and endurance plus the amidships mission area could embark up to 6x TEU and 4 RHIBs. Trying to find that combination of attributes in an OPV or light Frigate design isn’t easy.

Alternatively if a Holland class performance is all that is required then why not just build the Vard 7 313? Simple solution.

If you said to be the program cost for 5 such ships is in the 1.5 billion pound category I would
say likely.

How can 12,500t of simple OPVs comprised of a modified design already in service with RN cost the equivalent of 120,000t of clean sheet FSS?

Not even remotely realistic.

The river 2 a design that actually existed was first ordered in 2013 and first ship delivered in 2017. This “stretched” version doesnt exist so requires design effort prior to start of production and it is not in uk service. 2028 is 4 years away with no yards willing to build it, so good luck.

Rhibs and helicopter capability are vital for any ship doing interdiction regardless of ship speed. Ship speed is more important if the vessel is required to preform escort. These vessels are not capable of that.


The sensors, command and weapons systems in particular required will add most of the cost. But if you want to compare simple vessels then go back to the Spanish offshore patrol vessels they would require additional boat capacity but if you simply looks at the cost and transfer to the uk it’s not unreasonable to assume your not far off £200m per ship territory

I think we could build a 110 by 16 meter ship built to OPV standards fitted with a good radar and CMS hangar for SH-60 and flight deck for a Merlin plus a working deck with a 20 ton crane armed with 57mm plus FFBNW a Phalanx on the hangar roof for about 160 million

A ship of this type would be able to conduct global patrol and interdiction plus if fitted with the Phalanx and embarked Wildcat limited convoy duties

If you are getting into convoy escort you would really require camm missile fitted as a minimum. Full damage control and crew to support defence watches.

[Tempest414]

BAE doesn’t own Rosyth.

We can agree on that.

This stretched opv you talk off doesn’t exist and cost to displacement are not linear it’s the systems and capabilities that will determine cost within reason.

Completely agree which suggests that it will be even cheaper as most of the expensive systems are already paid for in the RB2 hull. It a 25m stretch plus a hanger.

If UK PLC cannot to put 3x OPVs on the water within 5 years it really is game over.

I use the Holland class as an example of the capabilities that it offers and a ship that exists.
Namely as I have said many times the need for gd sensors and communications, sea keeping and endurance. The ability to embark a helicopter and boarding teams. That it can deploy two boats for boarding whilst also retaining a sea rescue boat capability.

The Holland class is a good vessel but it does not have a patrol speed capability, therefore the RHIBs and helicopter combo are vital for interdiction. The RB2 can achieve 25knts and with a lengthened hull may achieve 26knts or more. The stretch would enable a Wildcat hanger plus extra fuel tanks and solid stores to be added to improve range and endurance plus the amidships mission area could embark up to 6x TEU and 4 RHIBs. Trying to find that combination of attributes in an OPV or light Frigate design isn’t easy.

Alternatively if a Holland class performance is all that is required then why not just build the Vard 7 313? Simple solution.

If you said to be the program cost for 5 such ships is in the 1.5 billion pound category I would
say likely.

How can 12,500t of simple OPVs comprised of a modified design already in service with RN cost the equivalent of 120,000t of clean sheet FSS?

Not even remotely realistic.

The river 2 a design that actually existed was first ordered in 2013 and first ship delivered in 2017. This “stretched” version doesnt exist so requires design effort prior to start of production and it is not in uk service. 2028 is 4 years away with no yards willing to build it, so good luck.

Rhibs and helicopter capability are vital for any ship doing interdiction regardless of ship speed. Ship speed is more important if the vessel is required to preform escort. These vessels are not capable of that.


The sensors, command and weapons systems in particular required will add most of the cost. But if you want to compare simple vessels then go back to the Spanish offshore patrol vessels they would require additional boat capacity but if you simply looks at the cost and transfer to the uk it’s not unreasonable to assume your not far off £200m per ship territory

I think we could build a 110 by 16 meter ship built to OPV standards fitted with a good radar and CMS hangar for SH-60 and flight deck for a Merlin plus a working deck with a 20 ton crane armed with 57mm plus FFBNW a Phalanx on the hangar roof for about 160 million

A ship of this type would be able to conduct global patrol and interdiction plus if fitted with the Phalanx and embarked Wildcat limited convoy duties

If you are getting into convoy escort you would really require camm missile fitted as a minimum. Full damage control and crew to support defence watches.

If two of these ships as above are working with say a type 31 with say 32 CAMM and 32 CAMM-ER they would add to a convoy with there radar's 57mm guns and Wildcats

[SW1]

If two of these ships as above are working with say a type 31 with say 32 CAMM and 32 CAMM-ER they would add to a convoy with there radar's 57mm guns and Wildcats

If your starting to get into convoying then you are into a position where you are a willingly accepting you are going to be shot at and putting yourself in a position were they are shooting at you and not what you are escorting. IMO that requires a warship not an offshore patrol vessel.

[Repulse]

There is no simple opv with a hanger to build.

Kership class

[Tempest414]

If two of these ships as above are working with say a type 31 with say 32 CAMM and 32 CAMM-ER they would add to a convoy with there radar's 57mm guns and Wildcats

If your starting to get into convoying then you are into a position where you are a willingly accepting you are going to be shot at and putting yourself in a position were they are shooting at you and not what you are escorting. IMO that requires a warship not an offshore patrol vessel.

In an Ideal world I fully agree but in time of war you get your head down with what you have and if the enemy is messing about with the escorts they not hitting what matters

[wargame_insomniac]

There is no simple opv with a hanger to build.

Kership class

Though I said this partly tongue in cheek, it does strike me as something that deserves more consideration.

Ok, it is a French design (better known more under its Gowind origins or Bouchard Class for Argentina), but for four vessels (albeit one already built and refitted) the cost was £260mn in 2019, so very much in the sub £100mn cheap OPV bracket.

Looking at the Bouchard Class in more detail:
- 87m in length with very good sea keeping capabilities.
- range 7,500nm at 12kts, max speed 20kts - supplies for 30 days
- flight deck for 10t helicopter and small hangar for 5t helicopter/ UAV
- dual rear boat ramp for 2 x 9m RHIBs
- 2 x 20ft containers on flight deck with small crane
- 30mm gun
- 2D radar and CMS
- Core crew of 30-40 with additional space for 30-20.

Useful in its current form, capable for global engagement covering both patrol, maritime security, MCM/Survey, and small littoral operations.

However, like the modifications made for the B2 Rivers, additions could be made to make it even more useful for RN use, for example:

- increased length to accommodate more containers / PODs under a Merlin capable flight deck
- Wildcat capable hangar (might fit already but tight)
- Increased damage control
- 40mm/57mm gun