It is huge and I think changes some of the ideas about the Type 31. We may see the first few ships lighted fitted out as more patrol ships, while later batches are fitted with significant more capable weapon systems. Raises some questions about the Type 26.
But as pointed out, there are many questions. Is this instead of CAMM? Will there be missiles. Why fit Mk41 to the Type 31 frigate, and not the type 45 destroyer. What impact will it have on the ships capability in other areas. It would appear to block the flex space in between the central flex space and the hangar. Guess we will see.
if we believed everything leadership mentioned or announced, Australia would have F-35B's, a couple of carriers, Japanese, French and American submarines. Long road from announcement to actual capability.
The Type 26 is first & foremost an ASW ship, with hull & propulsion heavily optimised for that role. The original plan was for 13 T26 to replace 13 Type 23 (also primarily ASW), 5 of them being fitted out for a GP role to replace 5 GP T23. That was changed to 8 T26, all ASW-focused, & 5 T31 replacing the GP T23s. T31 isn't going to be a top tier ASW ship whatever you fit to it, so the T26 is safe, as long as the RN sees itself needing to be able to fight high-end submarines. There's been talk of an improved T31, the T32 - but as well as T26, not instead of it, & fitting Mk 41 to T31 may be instead of T32.
Why T31 instead of T45? Because T45 doesn't have anywhere to put a lot of strike length Mk41 that isn't already taken up with other stuff that nobody wants to remove from it. It has 48 Sylver A50 for Aster 15/30, & is to get 24 CAMM launchers as well, to enable the Sylver VLS to be filled with just Aster 30, the 15 being disposed of. IIRC that's just a matter of replacing the boosters with Aster 30 boosters. Presumably the Aster 15 boosters will be returned to MBDA.
CAMM can fit in Mk41 via ExLS host, 4 per Mk41 cell. Or if there's room, the CAMM launchers could be left in place, saving the cost of ExLS. Nothing has been said in public. Shephard Media says that an assessment phase has begun, i.e. money is being spent on looking at options, roles, work needed, costs, etc., & that it's being done with the USN.
Admiral Key said
“…we also need to advance our ability to deliver lethal long-range offensive fires against our adversaries. Hence the decision to ensure the Mark 41 Vertical Launch Silo is fitted to the Type 26 and, I am delighted to say, we intend to fit it also to our Type 31 frigates. This will enable potential use of a large variety of current and future anti-air, anti-surface, ballistic missile defence and strike missiles” . The RN is buying NSM now for T23 & is working on longer range anti-surface missiles. The Mk 41 on both T26 & T31 could hold those longer range anti-surface missiles.
