Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 48:29-49:09

Why a Type 22 needed either missiles or a gun

Exocet made a gunless Batch 1 Type 22 acceptable, but omitting both forms of surface armament would be a different proposition.

Anti-Ship MissilesExocet MissileRoyal NavyType 22 Frigate
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Question

Would the Royal Navy accept a Type 22 frigate with neither Exocet nor a 4.5-inch gun?

Short answer

Probably not. Batch 1 Type 22s omitted the gun because they carried Exocet; removing both would go too far.

Notes

Batch 1 Type 22 frigates carried Exocet without a 4.5-inch gun. Their armament demonstrates that the Royal Navy accepted missiles in place of a medium gun. Removing Exocet as well would probably make the proposed armament unacceptable. The later Type 22 design changed the arrangement again.