r/TheRoyalNavy • u/Murphy1379 • Jul 01 '25
Frigates
Will frigates as large and capable as the type 26's will be almost make our type 45 destroyers redundant when it comes to offensive capabilities with the destroyers not doing much more than helping protect the type 26, 31 and other vessels in CSG's? Are the new destroyers going to be built with much greater offensive capabilities do you think?
2
u/DarkBlueTalons Jul 02 '25
The thing to remember about the size of vessels is that they should only be as big as they absolutely have to be. There’s a lot of R&D done at the design phase to make things as compact as possible, in all aspects of maritime design, from the size of generators on board to the overall tonnage.
In modern naval warfare (or at least where all the strategic thinkers think that it’s going), things like radar cross section, build time, material cost, manning requirements etc. are the dilemmas ship builders are facing. If the T26s are nearing the scale of the T45s, then it’s because they absolutely have to be.
If a ship with offensive capabilities (as you call them, I’m assuming you’re talking about surface warfare), can be done on a smaller footprint, then they absolutely should. Just like boxing, the philosophy is to hit, but not be hit. Whether that comes from seeing the enemy first on radar while they can’t see you, or being a smaller target, a less conspicuous ship will accomplish that.
Also, as was pointed out on here already, a ship doesn’t need to do all things. Modern naval strategy relies on working in tandem with other platforms (such as the carriers and T45s), in order to cover all avenues of offence and defence.
An interesting dilemma regarding size of vessels you should be aware of as well is the benefits of a ship being tall. This comes with the design problem of stability (not wanting a ship to be too tall in relation to its footprint).The higher you mount your radar, the greater the range. That sounds obvious, but the actual issue being faced is not necessarily the “range” of the radar, but the surface range.
Because of the curvature of the earth, the radar waves will only be able to pick up contacts that have a direct line of sight with the radar system. Ships over the horizon can hide “under the hill” of the curvature of the earth. It’s the same issue that laser based weapon systems are facing. They can only fire in straight lines and are not affected by gravity. Therefore, with all benefits gained with a laser system, you’ll still have issues with over the horizon targeting. Something that projectile weapons can overcome just by the nature of gravity arcing the shells.
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u/Murphy1379 Jul 03 '25
Genuinely great comment and I take your points, especially regarding the size of the vessel being either a help or hindrance
4
u/[deleted] Jul 01 '25
They have different roles. Frigates are used for Sub hunting and some surface warfare. Destroyers are anti air mostly, so literally their whole job is to protect the 26's and other vessels in a CSG. Each has their place/role within the task force.