Type 23 retirements expose procurement short-termism

Westminster, Argyll, Montrose and Northumberland illustrate the criticism that Britain used its remaining Type 23s to the end of their lives. The earlier sale of three other Type 23s to Chile is judged a poor long-term decision. Keeping three vessels in reserve would instead have preserved the option to bring them back when needed. The criticism extends to allied defence planning, with Britain used as a familiar example of a wider problem. Procurement delays rested on the belief that leaders had time to spare and control over when demands on their forces would arise.