Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:28:48-2:29:33

How Type 23 and Type 26 compare with Perry-class frigates

Type 23 emphasized ASW more strongly than the general-purpose Perry class, while Type 26 benefits from a much later technology generation.

Anti-Submarine WarfareOliver Hazard Perry Class FrigatesRoyal NavyType 23 FrigateType 26 Frigate
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Question

How do the Royal Navy's Type 23 and Type 26 frigates compare with the US Navy's Perry class?

Short answer

Type 23 was more ASW-focused than the broadly balanced Perry, while Type 26 is a much newer design and should be substantially more capable.

Notes

The Type 23 is presented as the closest British contemporary to the Oliver Hazard Perry class. Its stronger ASW orientation reflected Royal Navy priorities, while the Perry design devoted more of its balance to general-purpose and air-defense work. Type 26 belongs to a much later generation and should therefore outperform both in sensors, quieting, and systems integration. The comparison warns against treating ships separated by roughly four decades as direct technological peers.