Mark 41 adds strike capability, especially for Tomahawk missions, and creates a fleet-management problem. With only eight Type 26s, every detached frigate reduces the anti-submarine screen available to a carrier group or home-water mission. The argument for twelve ships rests on three-frigate groupings, allowing one or even two to detach while retaining some ASW cover. Greater numbers would make the added strike capability usable without leaving the core group thinly protected.
Notable Point · 1:26:12-1:28:57
Why strike options can expose an escort shortage
Mk 41 launchers make Type 26 useful for land attack, though detaching scarce anti-submarine escorts can weaken the task group they were bought to protect.