As Sandown-class vessels age out, the Royal Navy seeks a distributed, containerized mine-warfare system that operates from other ships. The immediate question is which hulls will carry it. A larger vessel designed for the task could offer more capability from the outset. The existing mine countermeasures vessels were conceived when the navy had more frigates and destroyers available. In medium- or high-threat conditions, those small ships were expected to work under a protective umbrella supplied by larger warships.
Notable Point · 21:31-22:46
Offboard mine-warfare systems still need motherships
Replacing dedicated mine countermeasures vessels with offboard equipment still leaves the need for suitable motherships and protection in threatened waters.