ROYAL NAVY
With eight City class (Type 26) and five Inspiration class (Type 31) frigates either under construction or on order, the Royal Navy has begun the concept phase for another new class of five general-purpose frigates. The Type 32 programme was announced in the UK’s Defence Command Paper, published in March 2021.
The concept phase will define the design requirements and operational roles for the ships which, unlike the Type 23s they are set to replace, will be intended for extended overseas deployments as the RN broadens its forward presence round the world. The current trend is for flexible, modular platforms that are able to host emerging technologies, such as autonomous and uncrewed systems, to combat evolving threats.
The ships are planned to enter service in the early 2030s. Their introduction will also help deliver on the government’s promised increase in escort numbers from 19 to 24 ships.