Why Type 31 received Bofors rather than CTA 40

Why did Britain fit Bofors 40 mm guns to ships instead of standardising on CTA 40?

Bofors was the proven, low-risk off-the-shelf choice, while naval CTA 40 was not mature enough for the programme's approach.

Cost, funding, and the desired role all mattered, but maturity was decisive. A naval telescoped-ammunition system had future potential, while Bofors was already a proven package. Type 31 was intended to rely on equipment that could be bought off the shelf with minimal development risk. Bofors therefore matched the programme's procurement approach more closely than an immature naval CTA 40 system.