Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:23:40-2:23:57

Why eight Type 82s would not erase the Type 42

A larger Type 82 program would probably have reduced rather than eliminated Type 42 construction, leaving a mixed British air-defense fleet.

Fleet PlanningNaval ProcurementRoyal NavyType 42 DestroyerType 82 Destroyer
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

If the Royal Navy had built eight Type 82 destroyers, would it still have built the Type 42 class?

Short answer

Probably yes, but in smaller numbers; the likely outcome is about eight Type 82s and eight Type 42s rather than one class eliminating the other.

Notes

The counterfactual asks what eight Type 82 destroyers would mean for Type 42 construction. The suggested outcome is a mixed force of eight Type 82s and eight Type 42s. More Type 82s therefore need not eliminate the later class. This is a brief estimate without a detailed cost or force-planning calculation.