How a new government changes a follow-on warship batch

Can different batches of the same warship class reflect orders from different governments?

Yes; each new contract can incorporate political priorities and accumulated design changes.

A change of government does not automatically create a different design, but a new batch requires a new contract. That contracting moment gives ministers and the navy a natural opportunity to alter requirements. Technical lessons and rolling design improvements can be incorporated at the same time. Successive batches may therefore reveal political priorities even when all the ships retain one class name.