The expanded proposal contains sixteen destroyers and twenty-four frigates to provide more room for accidents and temporary surges. Its estimates are six destroyers and eight frigates operational, with a larger available pool quoted at about twenty-one ships. Those operational components total fourteen, although a later spoken total is eighteen, so the operational arithmetic is inconsistent. The comparison of twenty-one available escorts with seven from the smaller fleet is threefold. A larger common pool could absorb surges with less disruption to work-up and maintenance, but the proposal also requires more personnel and funding. The choice presented is whether to reduce commitments and accept their risks or fund the capacity for the stated tasks.
Chapter · 59:00-1:03:24
A 40-escort fleet creates both surge and recovery capacity
The proposed sixteen destroyers and twenty-four frigates add surge capacity; the quoted available-ship comparison is threefold, while the operational totals contain an inconsistency.