Agree on both counts. Those arguing "What about the cost of filling those Mk41 VLS on T31?" are conveniently glossing over the comparable cost of filling the Mk41 VLS on T26.donald_of_tokyo wrote: ↑08 Jun 2023, 16:12No objection. I think people tend to think things are easy with T31 and difficult with T26, or vice versa. No, both types cost "so-so", and both have a capability roughly proportional to their cost.Tempest414 wrote: ↑08 Jun 2023, 15:33Also to drop in but with nothing in the Mk-41 VLS goes for both type 31 and type 26 so there for dose not affect the unit price of ether ship
Modern escort is NOT cheap.
And, anyway, uparming and/or adding one or two hulls of T26 and T31, individually, will be much more cost efficient now than hoping any T32. It is dictated by man-power limit.
Is it worth the expnse of fitting Mk 41 VLS to either T26 and / or T31?? We won't know that until we know for sure until the RN confirm what missiles they are buying to fill them. But I do think adding the Mk41 VLS (which is used by pretty much every allied navy apart from French / Italian) does add to the RN's flexibility and cross-operability, able to benefit a shared logistics if necessary.
I also don't see the point in arguing incessantly anout the costs of T26 versus T31. Countless threads on this forum are FULL of complaints about MOD / UK Armed Forces "Gold-Plating" potential acquisitions, and thus only able to afford a much reduced number. For one with T31, the MOD definitely did NOT "Gold-Plate" them, agreeing to include in the upfront fixed-term contract only what we could actually afford at that time after ordering T26.
Now I have consistently accused the T31 of being under armed and underequippd for their size. But they were initially ordered in a less tense global environment and what we could afford at that time. Thankfully the RN does seem to reaise that can no longer afford them to be as underarmed / underequipped given the current and inceasing global tensions. I believe that if the T31 receive a decent sonar, and with the rumouredu pgrade of both NSM Canisters, and installing Mk41 VLS / or increasing the number of CAMM in mushroom VLS, these all make the T31 a very useful GP Frigate with some bite. They won't be as good as T45 at AAW missions, or as good as T26 at ASW missions, but they will add different capabilities to other RN escorts.
I would still like to add both 2*T25 AND 2-3*T31 if the RN get increased Budget, whether from cancelling T32 or from another source of funfsds to be abe to afford the acquuition cost, monthly runnng costs and additiona crew.