Q&A · 3:45:47-3:48:24

A Japanese-style construction cycle for the Royal Navy

A procurement question translates Japan's steady construction rhythm into a proposed Royal Navy replacement cycle.

Question

How would you structure a Japan-style annual procurement cycle for the Royal Navy?

Short answer

The proposed commissioning cycle is one frigate yearly, a destroyer and SSN every other year, and an SSBN or SSGN every three years, with about 24 active years followed by reserve service.

Notes

The proposed cycle provides one frigate each year, one destroyer and one SSN every other year, and an SSBN or SSGN every three years. The destroyer and attack-submarine schedules aim to sustain twelve of each in active service. Ships would serve about 24 years, the point beyond which their operating costs are said to become especially troublesome, before spending another twelve years in reserve. That reserve could include six destroyers and twelve frigates. Carriers and amphibious ships would also need a continuing construction schedule, although no precise interval is settled for them. The answer then corrects its emphasis from orders to commissioning: a regular delivery rhythm matters as much as regularly signing contracts. Continuous construction is expected to reduce costs, while ten-year build times would leave an unnecessarily large number of hulls under construction simultaneously.