The main gun change was not "communicated" but known by defence watchers and such as they noticed the Leonardo contract was canceled. Both the Germans and Dutch are having issues with the Leonardo 127mm integration. Much less integration risk.
Have a look at the images contained in the links below:
If I was Canada I would be trying to minimise large changes on the first batch of ships. It would be more important to get the construction of the ships started and in the water. Canada intends to build a reasonable number, and 24 VLS isn't terrible and more than serviceable, if they want to evolve the design, different weapons, different configurations, then future batches it may be better to bundle together as the evolution to do that. If they want to do that, there is already an Type 26 partner that is going down that road, so might be best to learn from Australia's experience, and if Canada then wants to shift to the hull to Australian baseline, it would have been de-risked, proven design by then.
I would presume if Canada wanted more VLS and a more air defence capability, they may look at enhanced radar. Having the Hunter hull there, de-risked would be awfully attractive. There would be an existing user, upgrade path, intergration, all done. AU-UK-CA would happily share radar capability, the Canadians are already buying JORN.
Given that Spy 7 works on adding more T/R modules to make a larger radar, its possible in the future to change the size of those arrays and increase radar output. Hunter sized hull would likely be needed, and Australian expertise would be valuable. I love that these three allies (now four with Norway) can all share information.
There is a different (sort of) option. The added Mk41's don't have to be strike length. They could be tactical length. That size takes SM2, ESSM quad packed just fine, is about 1m shorter and is also lighter. Making those extra 8 Mk41's the go to for the ESSM quad packed (32 missiles total) would probably be the standard loadout for self defence, and the remaining 24 would be for mission specific missiles. You would place them in front of the the current centerline 8 cell VLS.
$150-$200 per barrel oil could postpone many anticipated programs.
I very much doubt that, these programs need to be confirmed now to meet timelines otherwise the RCN and national defence as a whole will be in a very dismal position.
The DND programs are absolutely needed and should have been under way much earlier! If economic conditions go for a $hit the LPC/NDP will move money to stuff that gives them electoral advantage. Defence is not a priority for much of our pathetic bleeding heart, multicultural, and leftist elites that influence the easily manipulated electorate.
I don't think this sort of divisive and openly political rhetoric is very helpful to the overall discussion, especially when the current Government has changed course from prior iterations and embraced substantial defence spending. It is very easy to point fingers at both large political parties for bending to economic and political conditions to absolutely stab required defence spending in the back, the Conservatives are just as guilty or even more so given their time in office.
You are overly optimistic about pollies and probably the electorate as well. Pollies, (all favours), have winning as a priority. Even pro defence MPs will have a hard time supporting the really big programs in the event of a serious recession caused by the Iran situation and the IOTUS's tariffs. Factoring in junior's 10 years of multi-billion dollar deficits will add to the pain. As for the electorate, defence support is on their radar as necessary right now but the government will have to make hard choices if revenues fall and social program cutbacks or tax increases will erode support IMHO.
Even if 50% of the tidbits above happen it will a significant increase in capability. I just hope the corvette (light frigate) number isn't a result of a reduced River class number. The AOPS upgrade makes sense. A 6,400 ton ship should have some decent space to add necessary kit upgrades.
Just have to wonder why a 35mm gun would be shown as that is more along the lines of what many navies equip their OPVs with. Surely a 40mm or 57mm gun would be more in keeping with the corvette designation.
A 35 mm millennium is better than the De Wolf’s 25 mm. Wouldn’t mind a 57 mm on both classes though.