Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:14:26-3:15:06

Mistral missiles on Type 23 gun mounts

The answer recalls Type 23 Mistral trials and possible temporary deployments, while remaining uncertain about whether any permanent fit followed.

Close-In Weapon SystemsMistral MissileRoyal NavyType 23 FrigateWarship Modernisation
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Question

Did Type 23 frigates ever carry Mistral missiles on their 30 mm gun mounts?

Short answer

Trials are recalled, and some general-purpose ships may have carried the missiles on deployments, but a permanent installation is not remembered with confidence.

Notes

The missile was tested with the 30 mm mounts. Some general-purpose ships may also have carried it during particular deployments. The recollection is that the proposal generated interest without becoming a permanent installation, but the answer explicitly allows that this memory could be wrong.