Black Sea losses and the question of frigate relevance

Is there still a role for an older frigate design amid drones and hypersonic missiles?

Clarke argues that Russian readiness problems make Black Sea losses an unreliable general test of the frigate, while Seidel stresses how much the threat has changed.

Jamie Seidel questions whether a decade-old frigate design suits the drone and missile environment of the 2030s. Russian small-ship losses in the Black Sea provide his example of the danger. Alex Clarke cautions against generalizing from a fleet whose flagship was reportedly in poor material condition. His objection concerns readiness and maintenance, rather than a claim that the new weapons are harmless. The comparison leaves room for a frigate whose condition and assigned mission differ from the Russian examples.