The Royal Navy kept escort technology viable through small batches of two, three, or four ships, while expecting to expand production when war threatened. A steady output of roughly ten a year offered a different way to prepare. With ships retained for perhaps fifteen to twenty years, the estimate gives Britain about 150 to 200 escorts in service or reserve. Those available ships would have reduced dependence on a crash construction program at the start of a war. Continuous orders would also preserve experienced personnel, while older ships could later be sold to smaller allies to support wider security and British influence.
Chapter · 2:48:48-3:00:23
Britain's case for steady escort construction
Britain repeatedly assumed it could surge-build small escorts later instead of sustaining a larger annual program.