How a Type 32 could differ from Type 31

If Type 32 repeats the Type 31 hull, what design changes should be expected?

It would trade some weapon and internal space for boats, modular payloads, communications, maintainers, and launch-and-recovery facilities supporting uncrewed systems.

A Type 31-derived Type 32 is considered as one possible design, oriented around uncrewed surface, subsurface and aviation assets. Launching, recovering and maintaining them requires deck area, modular spaces, personnel and communications equipment. Those demands compete with strike cells and other weapons for space. Fleet favors preserving or increasing armament to protect the investment; Clarke argues that a specialist ship should retain self-defence and operate with an escort. Giving it enough weapons to appear self-sufficient could encourage employment without that escort. Expensive large uncrewed vehicles would normally be reusable assets, and dispersed underwater contacts could complicate a hostile submarine's targeting problem.