If me, I shall base my plan on “using River B1s crew” here, and proposePoiuytrewq wrote: ↑10 Feb 2024, 23:19 Building an additional Frigate factory in Birkenhead isn’t realistic. If it isn’t more capable OPVs to fill the gap what do you propose?
- building 3 River B1 replacement simple-simple OPVs with a crew of 25 each
- up-equip the 5 River B2s as follows:
1: add TMMR C-UAS short-range AESA to supplement Scanter 2D
2: review fire fighting and water tight system in view of redundancy = at least the vessel shall be able to float and move even after getting hit and flooded in the largest water tight section, the engine room.
As River B2 has an alternate emergency power generator in front of the bridge (the intake can be seen as a two low box there, slightly port side), what we need to add will be a retractable azimuth thruster underneath the bridge. The same backup propulsion adopted in USN FFG-7, and RFA Tides. (may need power up of the alternator).
3: then some up-arm of the armaments. I prefer 57mm gun, because of US big and fruitful effort on the cheapish and effective guided rounds for it.
Of course, these improvements need more crew. Hence proposing simpler design for River B1 replacements.
PS The up-equipping the River B2s will take time, I think RN can think of leasing RNZN Otago class OPVs to save the day…