Type 26 is a high-end war-fighting frigate, while Type 31 is a more diplomatic, forward-based presence asset. River-class offshore patrol vessels sit beneath them in the routine-presence layer. Type 45 destroyers are sometimes pressed into higher-status visits even though they are not true status ships in this framework. A future Batch 3 River class could sustain distant stations while Batch 2 vessels returned to duties closer to Britain. The same Type 31 frigates may also be needed as defensive escorts against swarming threats. This structure works only if enough hulls are available to keep each layer from cannibalizing the others.
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Britain's planned diplomatic fleet mix
Type 26 war-fighting roles contrast with Type 31 forward presence, while British ships remain expected to fill too many functions at once.