The Type 45 order fell from twelve destroyers to nine and then six. The six-billion-pound programme figure includes research, infrastructure, and equipment as well as construction, so it does not mean that another hull would have cost a billion pounds. Estimates quoted for the next six ships range from about £200 million to £400 million per ship. A preferred estimate of £300 million gives a hypothetical total of £7.8 billion for twelve destroyers. These are estimates of additional construction after fixed costs had been paid. The political explanation connects the cuts with a more conspicuous carrier programme and an assumption that future wars would be wars of choice.
Chapter · 6:14-9:43
Type 45 numbers, politics, and sunk program costs
The Type 45 case separates development and infrastructure costs from the declining construction cost of later hulls, showing why cutting a class can make each delivered ship look exceptionally expensive.