Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:30:45-1:34:22

Why Europe should standardize systems rather than hulls

Different operating environments justify different hulls, while shared missiles, sensors, software, guns, and engines can capture the larger economies of scale.

Atlantic OceanBaltic SeaCombat SystemsCommonalityEuropean NaviesHorizon Class FrigatesInteroperabilityLogistics CommonalityMediterranean SeaMissilesMultinational ProcurementNational ShipyardsNaval MissilesNaval RadarNaval ShipbuildingRadarWarship Engines
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Should European navies adopt one common design for each class of warship?

Short answer

No; they should tailor hulls to national missions while standardizing the expensive weapons, sensors, software, and machinery families.

Notes

A Baltic fleet, a Mediterranean fleet, and a globally deployed Atlantic fleet do not need the same range, hull, or machinery arrangement. Forcing those navies into one ship design repeats the mistake exposed by the Horizon program. The expensive and logistically important elements are the combat systems: missiles, radars, guns, computers, software, and standardized engine families. Pooling development of those systems would preserve national shipyards and local requirements while still reducing duplicated cost and support burdens.