The Type 21 frigate is shown with Exocet, a 4.5-inch gun, 20 mm cannon, and Sea Cat. That combination supplied useful offensive and gunfire capabilities but only a limited defensive margin against concentrated air attack. Its weapons fit was already about fifteen years out of date when the class was built. HMS Ardent was sunk by Argentine aircraft on 22 May 1982, exposing the wartime vulnerability carried by ships and crews.
Notable Point · 37:50-39:13
Type 21 defences and the loss of HMS Ardent
The Type 21 weapons fit illustrates the limited defensive margin carried into the Falklands, where HMS Ardent was lost to Argentine air attack.