Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:27:21-1:28:41

Why a universal NATO frigate breaks down

A common NATO frigate would have to reconcile national operating requirements that can differ in small but non-negotiable ways.

FrigatesHorizon Class FrigatesMultinational ProcurementNATONFR-90 Frigate Programme
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Question

Would a universal NATO frigate, like a revived NFR-90 concept, work for the 2030s?

Short answer

No. The participating navies have different operational environments and several non-negotiable requirements, so a single common hull would repeat the compromises that broke earlier programs.

Notes

Alliance membership does not give every navy the same operating requirements. The NFR-90 and Horizon comparisons illustrate differences that participating services could not compromise away. British operating requirements are judged closer in several respects to Japan's, with Australia and Canada also possible partners. Even comparatively small differences can prevent agreement on a single ship when each navy considers them essential.