Canada's general-purpose River-class fit combines substantial air defence with Type 26's ASW capability. That expensive approach suits a navy seeking one common surface combatant for its requirements and allied contributions. Britain's specialist escort structure gives Type 26 the lead in ASW, with hull shaping and the rest of its design organized around that task. The expected Type 83 role reverses the emphasis: area air defence and land attack come first, with ASW support for Type 26. Adapting an ASW-centred hull into Britain's principal air-defence ship is therefore judged an unlikely choice.
Chapter · 17:27-18:58
Why Type 83 should not simply enlarge Type 26
Canada's common surface combatant and Britain's specialist escort mix create different reasons to combine ASW and air-defence capabilities.