Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 9:55-11:45

A larger Type 26 as command ship and escort leader

A proposed flagship variant leads to a wider Royal Navy force model built around four ASW groups and enough escorts to sustain operational availability.

Anti-Submarine WarfareFleet AvailabilityForce StructureNaval ProcurementRoyal NavyType 26 FrigateType 31 FrigateType 83 Destroyer
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Question

Why not build a large Type 26 as a national flagship that could also serve as a wartime command ship?

Short answer

The idea is useful, but several enlarged Type 26s would be better so multiple ASW groups could receive command capability and the fleet could sustain deployments.

Notes

An enlarged Type 26 has merit, but a single national flagship would concentrate a capability needed across the fleet. Building at least four large-hull variants would give each of four anti-submarine escort groups a command ship. The wider force model includes eighteen Type 26s, eighteen Type 31 or Type 32 frigates, and at least twelve Type 83 destroyers. That 48-escort fleet would yield about sixteen operational ships at a wartime one-in-three availability rate or twelve at a peacetime one-in-four rate without consuming maintenance life too quickly.