Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:27:19-3:28:50

Why Batch 2 Rivers cannot become frigates cheaply

The distinction between having upgrade provisions and being able to add them later determines how much rebuilding the proposal would require.

Fitted For But Not WithFrigatesLive Q&AOffshore Patrol VesselsRiver Class Offshore Patrol VesselsRoyal NavyWarship Design
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Question

What would it take to upgrade the Batch 2 River-class OPVs into heavily armed small frigates?

Short answer

A structural rebuild, because cost cutting reduced the original upgrade provisions until the ships were only fitted with the option of later being fitted for additional systems.

Notes

The reply calls for a structural rebuild. The intended option for later upgrades had, in this account, been reduced through cost cutting to the option of adding the necessary provisions later. That distinction separates a ship prepared to accept equipment from one requiring further work before the equipment can be fitted.