The case for China's frigate programme starts with limited money and development capacity. Destroyers, carriers, naval aviation and submarines already absorb substantial investment. Researchers, development teams and shipyards also place limits on how many demanding programmes can advance together. Research on the frigates therefore prioritizes anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and patrol presence, while other capabilities remain desirable.
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Why China's frigates prioritize ASW and presence
China's iterative frigate programme concentrates scarce development resources on anti-submarine warfare and patrol presence while larger programmes absorb investment elsewhere.