The modern Royal Navy capability ladder

River-class ships and mine countermeasure vessels cover constabulary and limited-threat presence once handled by sloops. Type 31 frigates add a general-purpose task-group option, while Type 26 frigates provide specialized anti-submarine warfare capability. Type 45 destroyers and a prospective Type 83 move into area air defense and the roughly 10,000-ton bracket needed for wide-ranging self-support. Each hull remains suited to a particular threat level, with heavier threats assigned to a higher tier instead of forcing more weapons onto every smaller ship.