Three national variants, three fleet problems

The detailed side-by-side comparison works through dimensions, personnel, sensors, towed arrays, combat systems, missiles, guns, and torpedoes rather than reducing the variants to a single rating. The British City class is listed at 6,900 tons standard and about 8,000 tons full load, with a 157-person core crew and space for 208. Hunter reaches about 10,000 tons full load with a crew of 180 plus 28 additional personnel, while the Canadian ship is slightly longer and carries 204. All three use Type 2150 hull sonar; Britain and Australia share Type 2087 towed arrays, while Canada selects another Ultra Electronics variable-depth array. Their launchers also diverge: Britain combines Sea Ceptor with Mark 41, while the Australian and Canadian fits can use SM-2, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, and separate anti-ship launchers. These choices reflect each navy's fleet needs, especially the larger air-defence burden placed on the Australian and Canadian ships.