The Tornado F3 provides an aviation analogy for judging a platform by the mission it was built to perform. It was an interceptor intended to use long-range missiles, rather than a dogfighter designed to meet an F-16 on equal terms. The same reasoning applies to warships. A Type 31 should avoid submarine contact where possible and work with a Type 26 whose towed-array sonar and helicopters address the underwater threat, so surviving a torpedo hit is not the only measure of whether the frigate suits its role.
Notable Point · 37:22-38:23
Judge Type 31 against its intended role
A Tornado F3 analogy leads to a modern naval lesson: Type 31 should be judged as part of a force that uses Type 26 sensors and helicopters against submarines.