Replies

You need ships like these for about 80% of your average naval activities. Page seems to be a resident cynic as far as all UK programmes (Eurofighter/F-35) are concerned.

what naval activities would the frigates be needed for? Anti-piracy? Helicopter carriers can cover a wider area. Coastal patrol? Smaller patrol boats could do the job a lot cheaper than a £1 billion Type-45 could, AsuW? Helicopters/aircraft can do it from further away, submarines can do it without being seen. ASW? Again, helicopters can do a better job without giving the ship's location away and without being vulnerable to a submarine counterattack.

Lewis Page may well be a cynic, but he is speaking from experience, and he seems to know his stuff, and what he says make perfect sense. The Frigates may not be totally useless, but they are not the most efficient, cost-effective or best way to do the tasks they are intended for...