Nine successors to the Type 45s would guarantee the three basic escort groups and leave options for another formation or a semi-permanent high-end regional presence. The heavily used Daring-class destroyers may have too little service life left for a useful reserve fleet after replacement. Type 31 frigates sit outside the core high-end screen during routine operations. In war, they would join carrier and amphibious groups as close escorts.
Notable Point · 22:47-24:06
Type 45 successors and Type 31 wartime roles
Nine Type 45 successors would preserve high-end escort availability and allow occasional forward presence, while Type 31 frigates would reinforce battle groups as close escorts in war.