Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:31:49-2:32:18

Type 23 relied on Sea Wolf instead of a gun CIWS

The Royal Navy chose Sea Wolf and vertical-launch missiles for Type 23 rather than adding Phalanx or Goalkeeper after the Falklands War.

Close-In Weapon SystemsRoyal NavySea Wolf MissileType 23 FrigateType 26 FrigateType 31 Frigate
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Question

Why did Type 23 frigates not receive Phalanx or Goalkeeper?

Short answer

The class relied on Sea Wolf and vertical-launch missile defense. An additional gun CIWS is considered unlikely to be fitted at this stage.

Notes

The explanation for Type 23's lack of a separate gun CIWS is reliance on Sea Wolf and its vertical-launch system. The period after the Falklands War is identified as the natural point to have chosen an additional close-in gun. That installation did not follow, and by this October 2022 discussion it is considered unlikely to happen. Type 26, Type 31, and other ships are cited as taking a different approach.