A partnership cannot save money until both navies want compatible ships. British thinking appeared to favor vessels above 10,000 tons, while the Dutch requirement was below that threshold. The British concept also leaned toward stronger organic self-defence, potentially including CAMM or Sea Ceptor and gun options associated with the Type 31, such as 57 mm or 40 mm Bofors weapons. Those differences affect displacement, internal volume, sensors, magazines, crew, and cost rather than merely changing a few optional fittings. The partners nevertheless entered development before resolving what each expected the ship to do. Money intended to reduce costs can be wasted when a common program begins before a common operational requirement exists.
Notable Point · 54:19-56:35
Why British and Dutch amphibious requirements diverged
A proposed British-Dutch amphibious program exposed incompatible expectations for ship size and self-defence before the partners had agreed on a common requirement.