The Save the Royal Navy website, which is usually on the ball about these things, reports that it will be a general purpose frigate that will follow on from the Type 31. General purpose is military speak for not fitted to fulfil a speciality role. So I don’t think we should expect very much more than we are getting from the Type 31. The Holyrood publication states it will be built on the Clyde, but I think that’s highly unlikely. Even if it goes out to tender, Babcock’s frigate factory in Rosyth would have to start favourite.
Given the current state of the Defence Budget I don’t believe that Type 32 will be built, despite whatever bluff comes from the RN’s Top Brass. There hasn’t been to date any real specific mission sets defined for this New Class, thus I feel it become nothing more than one of Johnson’s Spurious Pipe Dreams. Anyway, I feel it would be far appropriate for the RN to build another Batch of Type 26 ASW Frigates (Batch 3 to be equipped with MTLS for Stingray Torpedoes) and another Batch of Type 31 GP Frigates, but built with inherant full ASW Acoustically Quietened Hulls, machinery and propulsion. Even if they don’t initially carry any specific ASW Sensors or Weapons. It would provide a degree of future proofed ASW upgradability if future requirements dictate.
Q. Until the announcement DID ANYONE KNOW? Many believe that BoJo just got his facts muddled up and we end up with a Type 31 morphing into a Type 32. Remember we had a Type 31a or Type 31e. The Type 83 Destroyer is talked about but absolutely NO REAL idea about Size, Capabilities, Armament etc. Odd that the type 42 Destroyer was morphed into the stretched version of HMS Bristol Type 82 but with Labour cancelling the 2 Aircraft Carries CVA1 & CVA2 so the Type 82 disappeared. Q. Should the new Destroyer be Type 85 with reference to Type 45?
Unfortunately, 🇬🇧 has too few of everything. Type 26 order needs to be doubled, as does the type 31. A bigger, more heavily armed replacement for the type 45 is needed, and a new class of well armed corvette for local defence of British waters. More F-35's are needed for the carriers, at least 2 flat top assault ships for the Marine expeditionary force, 6 new large fast combat support vessels, and another 6 Astute class subs! As i said more of everything. Our government pretend to be one of the big boys, but are never prepared to back it up!!!
The defence chief says there 3 type 45s ready for service the other 3 getting its upgraded with Daring longer in maintenance than in service there a total of 9 23s left in the RN a total of 12 ships thats your RN .
