Keeping Type 23 frigates through the escort gap

Should the Royal Navy retain older Type 23 frigates until replacements arrive one for one?

Yes. The best surviving ships should remain active or in useful reserve to cover an acute escort shortage until newer classes are available.

The proposal is to retain the four Type 23s in the best condition, at least in reserve, until replacement classes can cover the shortfall. Gulf mine-countermeasure vessels need protection, while carrier groups, NATO formations, South Atlantic patrols and ballistic-missile-submarine support compete for escorts. A hypothetical force of nine Type 45s and sixteen Type 23s would have provided more room to absorb refits and emergencies. Roughly twelve of those twenty-five ships are estimated to be normally available, leaving support for other commitments after forming a carrier group's core. Three additional Type 45 hulls could also have rotated through reserve and refit while using six crews. Spare hulls would protect maintenance schedules from repeated operational interruptions.