Five Type 31s and a proposal for rolling frigate batches

How many Type 31 frigates are being procured, and what could follow them?

Five Type 31s. A proposed sequence adds drone-support Type 32s and later batches, then sells older ships unless a crisis creates a need to retain them.

Five Type 31 frigates are the stated order. The proposed continuation is a Type 32 batch based on the same hull but oriented toward supporting drones, with another five suggested rather than confirmed. A further Type 33 batch is also mentioned without a detailed specification. Repeated orders would maintain production and provide newer ships while older batches could be sold to allies. If war threatened, cancelling those sales would retain more hulls in British service.