Type 26 and Type 31 serve different escort jobs

Would azimuth pods make a better redesign for Type 26 and Type 31?

They may suit a future clean-sheet escort, but redesigning current ships adds cost; Type 26 and Type 31 also have different operational priorities.

A major redesign of ships already far along the design path would add cost, even if future escorts might use a different propulsion layout from the outset. Type 31 is described as a presence and task-group frigate. Type 26 is the higher-end anti-submarine and picket vessel, so its design carries different performance and risk priorities. The distinction matters because the shared frigate label can conceal very different force-structure functions.