Changing government decisions appear to be the main production problem. British yards can assemble ships quickly, but revised requirements may force completed work to be undone and rebuilt. Slow funding then stretches a small order so the yard does not finish years before the next program is ready. Full-rate Type 26 production could absorb Norwegian ships with much less disruption, although the first Norwegian delivery might still require transferring a British construction slot. The workforce would face a sharp fall once the run ended without enough successor work. The apparent cancellation of the Type 83 plan adds uncertainty, with its possible revival left open. Regular orders would let yards build faster while retaining the people and facilities needed for the next class.
Chapter · 58:49-1:01:06
How stop-start orders slow British frigate production
British yards can build faster, but changing requirements and too few follow-on orders force slow production that protects workforces at a higher unit cost.