Type 32 frigate

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Class overview
NameType 32 frigate
Operators Royal Navy
Preceded byType 23 frigate
In commission2030s
Planned5
General characteristics
TypeGeneral purpose frigate

The Type 32 frigate is a frigate currently in development in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy. It was officially announced in November 2020 by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as a result of the Integrated Review. Built after the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, the ship will be general-purpose and modular in its design and, after entering service in the 2030s, is expected to help grow the Royal Navy's surface escort fleet from 19 to 24 vessels.[1][2][3]

Development[]

The ship was first announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 19 November 2020 as part of a defence investment pledge ahead of the Integrated Review. In addition to the long-known Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, the Prime Minister announced a new Type 32 frigate would be built.[3] On 30 November 2020, the Ministry of Defence stated that the concept phase for the vessel had not yet been launched but added that the ship was envisioned as a "platform for autonomous systems", used in roles such as anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures.[4] Like the Type 31 frigate, the ship will be general-purpose in its design.[2] Up to five ships are planned, which, in combination with the planned five Type 31 frigates and eight Type 26 frigates, will grow the Royal Navy's surface escort fleet from 19 to 24 vessels.[5]

In March 2021, the government's defence command paper, Defence in a Competitive Age, elaborated further on the Type 32 frigate stating that it would be designed to protect territorial waters, to provide persistent presence and to support the Royal Navy's new Littoral Response Groups (LRGs). The document also stated that, along with the Type 31, the frigates would be more flexible than their predecessors, featuring a modular design, and equipped with advanced sensors and weapons.[6] According to the document, the ships are likely to be built at Scottish shipyards, like the Type 26 and Type 31.[6]

During the DSEI exhibition in September 2021, Babcock International revealed it was pitching its Arrowhead 140 design, used by the Type 31 frigate, as the base design for the Type 32. The company's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer John Howie stated that the design was well suited to the Royal Navy's requirements for the Type 32, with a flexible mission bay capable of operating subsurface and airborne autonomous systems.[7]

In November 2021, Royal Navy First Sea Lord Tony Radakin announced that the ship had entered its concept phase. He added that it was too early to define its characteristics but being a "Type 31 Batch 2" frigate could be an option. Radakin also reiterated the intent of the programme to provide "additional volume" to the fleet and embrace emerging technology.[8]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "The new Type 32 Frigate – What do we know?". UK Defence Journal. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Defence Committee Oral evidence: MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20, HC 1051". Parliament. House of Commons. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Integrated Review — in the House of Commons at 12:03 pm on 19th November 2020". Hansard. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Frigates - Question for Ministry of Defence". Hansard. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Type 32 Frigates: Procurement". UK Parliament. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Defence in a competitive age" (PDF). Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  7. ^ Lye, Harry (17 September 2021). "DSEI 2021: Babcock pitching Arrowhead 140 as Type 32 base". Shephard. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  8. ^ "RN chief sets early headmarks for Type 32 frigate". Jane's Information Group. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.


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