What could lengthen a Type 31 Mark 41 refit?

How long could fitting Mark 41 launchers to the first Type 31 frigates take?

It could be relatively quick if the electronics and wiring are already prepared, but substantial rewiring could turn it into a much longer refit, with a year offered as a cautious estimate.

A relatively short installation assumes that the necessary electronics and wiring were included during construction. Under that assumption, much of the remaining task would involve opening the structure and inserting the vertical launch system. If those preparations are incomplete, the work becomes a more extensive refit. The estimate of a full year is explicitly a cautious guess based on the possibility that substantial rewiring remains. Removing existing wiring, installing replacements and correcting faults can make the job much larger than the visible launcher installation.