Visible framing through Type 23 hull plating shows the accumulated effect of the sea on a lightly built frigate. That wear is not necessarily an original build-quality failure, because the class remained in service longer than its early assumptions anticipated. Life extension required replacing plating and other worn structure. Repeated decisions to defer a replacement frigate program eventually created pressure on fleet numbers even when the old design was sound.
Notable Point · 16:32-18:17
Type 23 life extension and the frigate gap
Visible Type 23 hull wear becomes a lesson in the difference between poor construction and extending a lightly built frigate beyond its intended service life.