Should the CCV carry a 127 mm gun or a 57 mm gun, and what gun fit is most likely?
Short answerThe final mix will reveal whether the ship follows the Type 31's lighter fit or receives a heavier 5-inch main gun, with cost likely deciding the choice.
NotesA 57 mm gun paired with 40 mm weapons would continue the Type 31 approach and produce a dense light-air-defence fit. A 5-inch gun with 40 mm mounts would combine heavier naval gunfire with that lighter layer. Pairing the 5-inch gun with 57 mm weapons would make the overall fit heavier still. The likely choice depends on how much the Ministry of Defence is prepared to spend.