Type 23 frigate availability is attributed chiefly to age, while Type 45 destroyers face a shortage of dry-dock space. Repeated elections and changes of government are blamed for delaying replacement frigate orders. In this account, the navy repeatedly presented a proposed order before a new government reconsidered it. Ageing hulls, maintenance infrastructure and interruptions to procurement each require different remedies.
Notable Point · 15:39-16:30
Frigate age, destroyer dry docks and interrupted replacement orders
Ageing Type 23s, limited Type 45 dock capacity and interrupted replacement orders are offered as different explanations for reduced warship availability.