Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:32:07-3:33:16

Type 32 evolution and a larger British defence budget

Type 32 could develop from Type 31 while additional funding accelerated submarine construction and further Type 26 orders.

AUKUSBritish Defence PolicyGuided Missile SubmarinesHunter Class FrigatesNaval Industrial CapacityNaval ProcurementRiver Class DestroyersRoyal NavyType 26 FrigateType 31 FrigateType 32 Frigate
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Question

Should Type 32 be an improved Type 31, and would a 3.5 percent defence budget change that approach?

Short answer

Keep Type 32 as an evolution of Type 31, while examining faster AUKUS construction, more Type 26 frigates, and Dreadnought-based SSGNs.

Notes

The City, Hunter, and River classes are described as contemporary variations of the Type 26 design. Type 32 would still be developed from Type 31 even with a British defence budget of 3.5 percent of GDP. Additional funding could accelerate AUKUS construction and increase Type 26 orders. A couple of guided-missile-submarine variants of the Dreadnought class are another possibility raised for examination. These are proposed as practical uses of a substantial budget increase, with the choices depending on where the money becomes available.