RN Frigates: Type 32

[Pelican]

Details emerge on new Type 32 Frigate, to sail in 2032

The Type 32 Frigate programme concept phase began in September 2022, and the first vessel is hoped to enter service in 2032.
John Healey, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, asked:

“To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 December 2022 to Question 102771 on Type 32 Frigates: Procurement, when his Department plans to complete the concept phase of the Type 32 Frigate programme.”

And also:

Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/details ... r5v0WT3PHw

[Pelican]

Despite earlier rumours that the class is set to be cancelled, the UK Government have insisted that “the Type 32 Frigate programme remains a key part of the future fleet”.

See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/governm ... -of-fleet/

LFT

[Pelican]

The Type 32 frigate frigate programme – over before it began?

There are strong indications the five Type 32 frigates that would follow on from the Type 31 programme will be axed due to lack of funding. Here we look at the implications of this decision and its impacts on industry and the future RN fleet.

See - https://www.navylookout.com/the-type-32 ... -it-began/

[Pelican]

Despite earlier rumours that the class is set to be cancelled, the UK Government have insisted that “the Type 32 Frigate programme remains a key part of the future fleet”.

See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/governm ... G7DZo7Eyd4

[Pelican]

Government confirm Type 32 Frigate not cancelled

Despite earlier rumours that the class is set to be cancelled, the UK Government have insisted that new frigates, whatever form they take in terms of procurement, will be built.
The UK Government have committed to new Type 32 frigates, be it as a new design or a second batch of already-in-build Type 31 Frigates.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/governm ... cancelled/ - LFT

[Pelican]

Babcock showcases Arrowhead 140 Multi-Role Naval Platform concept with view to Type 32 frigate competition
Babcock recently unveiled how their Arrowhead 140 product, the parent design for the Type 31 frigate, could be significantly adapted to meet the RN’s Type 32 frigate requirement or modified for export customers.

From the outset, the Arrowhead 140 has always been intended as a baseline design that could be outfitted with a variety of weapons and sensors to meet a wide set of customer needs and budgets. Last year BAE Systems launched their Adaptable Strike Frigate (ASF) concept, designed from scratch with the Type 32 frigate competition in mind and to demonstrate a more flexible and modular approach to warship design. Babcock have matched the BAES proposal, with their Arrowhead 140 Multi-Role Naval Platform (A140 MNP) concept mirroring some of the same thinking but with the advantage of an existing platform already selected by three navies.

Continues at - https://www.navylookout.com/babcock-sho ... mpetition/

[Pelican]

Type 32 Frigates set for 2030s service, confirms MoD

The Ministry of Defence has again confirmed that the planned Type 32 frigates are set to enter service in the 2030s.
See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/type-32 ... firms-mod/

[Pelican]

Type 32 Frigate again omitted from list of future ships

The future of the Royal Navy’s escort fleet has, once again, been brought into question.
Where is the Type 32 frigate in the Royal Navy’s future plans? Despite repeated government commitments, the frigate remains mysteriously off the radar in official dialogue.

Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/type-32 ... ure-ships/

[Pelican]

Type 32 Frigate funding allocation too little

The National Audit Office (NAO) report on the Ministry of Defence’s Equipment Plan for 2023-2033 has brought to light the financial challenges surrounding the development of the Type 32 frigates for the Royal Navy.

The Type 32 frigates will be a crucial component of the future fleet, yet they face significant funding shortfalls.

The NAO report indicates that the Royal Navy’s new entries into the shipbuilding pipeline, including the Type 32 frigates, are forecasted to cost £5.9 billion more than the currently allocated budgets.

“For example the Navy has included the full predicted costs of new entries into the shipbuilding pipeline – including Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ships Type 32 frigates Multi-Role Support Ships, Type 83 destroyers and Future Air Dominance System – which are forecast to cost £5.9 billion more than the currently allocated budgets.”

The Type 32 Frigate is expected to help grow the Royal Navy’s surface escort fleet from 19 to 24 vessels.

Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, expressed grave concerns over the unaffordability of the Equipment Plan in the report, which can be found here.

Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/type-32 ... oo-little/

[Pelican]

Babcock plans next-gen frigates with crews as small as 50

Babcock has announced its plans for the Type 32 frigates, which could see the vessels operated with crews as small as 50 sailors.

In a detailed discussion with The Telegraph, John Howie, Babcock’s Chief of Corporate Affairs, shed light on the potential that recent technological advancements hold for reducing the necessary crew size on naval ships.

“People talk about a Type 32 frigate – we like to refer to it as Type 31 batch two. We’re doing a crew of about 105 on Type 31, so realistically we should be aiming to half that number for batch two,” Howie explained.

By significantly reducing the crew size from the current requirement of approximately 105 sailors on the Type 31 frigates, Babcock seems to be recognising that the Royal Navy can no longer jam ships full of people and that recruitment is an issue.

Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/babcock ... all-as-50/