^ Large Variant Type 43 Destroyer Concept.
Introduction
The Type 43 and Type 44 were proposed destroyer classes for the Royal Navy. They were intended to follow on from the Type 42 'Sheffield Class' , but armed with the Sea Dart Mark II missile. The primary role of the Type 43 was to protect a task force from air-launched missile attack. There were two proposed Type 43 variants - the small variant and the large variant. The project advanced to feasibility design before being cancelled in 1981.
The Type 44 was proposed as similar to the small variant Type 43, but with enhanced anti-submarine capability.
Type 43 - Small Variant
The design for the small variant Type 43 resembled a Type 42 with one twin Sea Dart launcher forward and directors fore and aft.
Type 43 - Large Variant
The design for the large variant Type 43 had one twin Sea Dart launcher forward and one twin dart Sea Dart launcher aft with four directors. With launchers at both ends the flight deck was relocated midships between the two superstructure blocks. The helicopter hangar would have room for one Merlin or two Lynx helicopters.
Type 44
The Type 44 was proposed as similar to the small variant Type 43, but with enhanced anti-submarine capability.
Cancellation
The Type 43/44 programme was cancelled by the Secretary of State for Defence John Nott in the 1981 defence review.
Ships Of Class
Eight ships of the Type 43 class were proposed, but none were built. Instead, four new 'Stretched Batch III' Type 42's (HM ships Manchester, Edinburgh, Gloucester & York) were built.
