The Cold War starts with a destroyer-heavy Royal Navy

The Royal Navy entered the Cold War with many wartime destroyers available for further service. It quickly converted older hulls into high-speed Type 15 anti-submarine frigates, well before the later East of Suez decision often credited with turning the fleet toward anti-submarine warfare. Destroyer service had also supplied many senior commanders with experience of coordinating several ships and running a small staff. Battle-class ships remained useful, with many reactivated for the Suez Crisis, while Weapon-class conversions carried large radars for long-range air surveillance. This inheritance reduced the immediate need for new destroyer construction.