The Royal Navy fleet will grow to more than 19 frigates and destroyers by 2026, aiming for 24 escort vessels by 2030. It currently has 18.

In written evidence submitted by Admiral Tony Radakin to the Defence Select Commitee the former First Sea Lord said:

“Hull numbers will dip to 17 by the end of 2023”, later adding “alongside making best use of the force we have, driving up relative availability, we remain committed to growing the escort force and further increasing the absolute number of days available for operations we provide to the nation. We anticipate returning above 19 FFDD by the end of 2026 as new ships are brought into service.

The projected in service dates for these ships, and the time required for sea trials and commissioning activity, have been modelled against the out of service dates of the Type 23 force, to ensure that we always have sufficient units to deliver on our Defence Plan commitments, whether that be protecting our nuclear deterrent or delivering presence around the globe.

Furthermore, the additional availability that the IR provided in the OPV force, through the extension of the Batch 1 OPVs in Home Waters, has allowed us to use the Batch 2 OPVs to deliver some tasks overseas to which a Frigate or Destroyer would have been attributed previously. The excellent availability we are getting from these new ships, forward deployed with a sustainable crewing model, is supporting our presence around the globe whilst we transition to the future frigate force.

As new ships are brought into service, they will require less maintenance than those they replace, reaping the benefits of modern technology and further improving relative availability. We are also committed to several initiatives, under Projects RESOLUTION (Submarines) and RENOWN (Surface Ships), to shorten refits and speed up routine maintenance of the existing fleet. The collective effect of all these measures will be a much more available Fleet, delivering a better return on the investment the Ministry of Defence has made in the Royal Navy, and providing more days on operations for the nation.”

How many escorts will the Royal Navy eventually have?

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister confirmed plans to increase the size of the Royal Navy escort fleet to 24 vessels.

Royal Navy to have 24 frigates and destroyers by 2030

During a dicussion following a statement on the publication of the ‘Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy‘, Boris Johnson said:

“In shipbuilding, we will have by the end of this decade 24 frigates as opposed to the 15 today.”

The Royal Navy currently has 12 frigates, it’s safe to assume that the Prime Minister misspoke. Johnson also meant escort vessels rather than just frigates, which would mean an increase of 5 vessels on today’s numbers of 12 frigates and 6 destroyers.

The Integrated Review confirmed plans for new Type 32 Frigates which will be built in addition to the Type 26 and Type 31 Frigates, many had previously suspected that this is part of an effort to bring the escort fleet up to 24 vessels from its current 19.

For more on Type 32, click here or follow the link below.

More details emerge about the Type 32 Frigate

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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78 COMMENTS

  1. Am told by MoD press office that the 24 by end of the decade was actually a reference to surface fleet numbers

    Albion and Bulwark have OOS dates after 2030. Don’t they count as surface fleet? Don’t the carriers?

    Radakin said:

    We anticipate returning above 19 FFDD by the end of 2026

    So in the last 3 years of the decade do we expect 5 more frigates to come into service than leave? I think that’s just about possible, but “surface fleet” leaves wiggle room.

    • I think the correction from the PM was as confused as the original statement it ‘corrected’. No change there then, tbh I doubt he would know the difference between a River Class and a George Bush class carrier unless Tobias Elwood informed him in triplicate. Even then he would be asking how many of the latter we have in the RN.

    • Probably some creative accounting going on. No way we are going to get 5 more active frigates within 5 years. I would guess they will include ones being taken out of service and ones in testing phase etc.

      • I suspect that what this actually means is that a number of the Type 23s will be extended in service, giving us a larger number of ships as new vessels join and sail alongside those they were intended to replace…..

          • The cost has most likely been factored into that, and given that it’s 24 by the end of the decade that gives us 8 years to recruit more people into the Royal Navy.

        • My guess it will be a specific point in time. There will be a day where a t23 and t26 will be in service together and then the next day the t23 will be taken out of service. Doesn’t require any crew as no one said it was the active number.

          • Most likely yes, e.g. HMS Glasgow will still be in trails in 2026, at the same time as HMS Westminster will still be in service.

        • Radakin also said

          FFDD hull numbers will dip to 17 by the end of 2023

          So that will be Montrose and Monmouth going.

          I think Argyll, Iron Duke and Lancaster will be Lifexed beyond 2026.

          It may be commissioned dates not operational. So we’ll have HMS Glasgow and two T31s, Venturer and Active, commissioned by the end of 2026. But it’s possible that all three will be operational by then.

          • HMS Glasgow will only be operational at this time only in the sense of developmental trials, as the first in her class of this type of warship.
            And will undergo advance trials of how this warship’s warfare proceeders
            are conducted.

    • Hi Levi,

      I though that as well.

      However, two things are in the pipline that might make a difference. Firstly, the B2 T26 contract is still being negotiated and secondly BAE Systems have put in a planning application to extend the build hall at the yard. In optimistic moments I wonder if the two are linked and that the rate of build for the B2’s will be accelerated?

      Fingers crossed.

      Cheers CR

      • Simple question is where has the new money come from? If they were planning on speeding things up there would have been indications of this in the SDSR, which instead focused on cuts and lots of them.

        No idea what the extension relates to, but I doubt it’s another frigate factory

        • Hi Steve,

          Don’t know if you saw this story or not, but BAE Systems have put in a planning application to extend the Block Fitting Hall Out. So this is definately an increase in capacity at the yard, even if only a small one…

          As for the SDSR yes lots of cuts but also an up lift in the size of the RN, hence the talk of 24 FFDD’s by (mid?) 2030’s which they can only achieve with an up tick in decision / build rate as far as I can see.

          Of course, there is still plenty of opportunity for delays etc. so fingers crossed.

          Cheers CR

  3. I guess if they speed up T26 construction they could have three in commision potentially by 2026-also if they place the order for the rest this year

    • Three in commision by 2030, very likely! Very little capacity to speed-up much, either in facilities or in skilled workforce. You forgetting, the long lead items need to be ordered at least two years before construction begins on the actual ship. Some of the long lead items for the first three T26’s, were ordered in 2015.

    • Hello Geoffi. We may be short of frigates and destroyers but we have at present, a plethora(Three Amigos) of great articles courtesy of UKDJ and George!😄

    • A limited war in the Asia Pacific maybe, but a world war a unlikely, simply because the nuclear powers are all going to make sure a conflict is as limited as possible.

      Mutual destruction by nuclear fire, poisoning, starvation and freezing has worked as a motivator for non escalation for 70 years, it’s likely to keep working.

  5. Heavens above, can someone give him an abacus? He’s stupid? Inept? Or just a bare faced liar? 30 by the end of 2020s, 30 of what?

  6. The tragic irony is that the Type 31s are not escorts. What can they do, shoot at small gun boats and launch (if we are lucky) 24 CAMMs, holly hell what a joke. At least the Type 45 can attest to being a decent wide area AAW ship and similarly the Type 26 can take care of ASW. But the Type 31s ???

    • Being a bit more positive, it depends what they are escorting. If they are escorting the supply ships out of range of land based attacks, but still potentially in range of air-to-air refuels (limited number of attacks), then they could be effective. Main problem is they will have limited sub surface capability and really supply escorts need that. They will also be fine at escorting merchant navies around piracy hotspots / low intensity areas like the current status of the gulf and the types of attacks Iran is doing.

      • The 57mm and 2 40mm would be more effective at taking out a swarm of small boats than the 4.5/5inch/ 2 30mm combination of the Types 23/26 and 45 without having to resort to using expensive anti-ship missiles on them.

    • To be honest for what it’s going to be doing the type 31 is going to be a good ship.

      1) keeping shipping lanes open in enclosed seas open. Those 2 40mms and the 57mm are going to be very effective at that. As well a CAMM, a Mach three missile hitting any small or medium combatant is going to be effective and hard to stop ( the kinetic energy in a 100kg object at Mach 3 is a lot).

      2) Acting as a very effective constabulary vessel, merlin size rotor, two ribs and space for marines.

      3) mission bays that will make it effect in areas the RN supports disaster management. As well as being able to support the new mine warfare kit as it comes in.

      4) not every escort in a carrier or amphibious group needs to be high end AAW or ASW, there is a need for outer screen eyes that can take care of itself, as well as close in AAW goalkeeping, which a CAMM armed ship with x2 40mm and a 57mm will excel at.

      • One can’t help but think of the OHPerrys, small, neat & tidy. Obsolete by today’s standards but at the time with, SM-1, RGM-84, 76mm, a CIWS and Torps. Everything you want in a “2nd rate” vessel. Like the Destroyer Escorts of WW2, cheap and cheerful. Sadly the Type 31 lacks half of what the OHPerrys could do, 20 years later.

  7. You have Canada and Australia building type 26s, you have the RN building them, you have AUKUS, you have an increase in British escorts with the 31s and 32s and the type 45s, the OPVs. The two LRGs to boot. This stuff takes time. It’s not like the cupboard is bare. We have Italian jets on our flat tops, the Japanese in there with us too. We have the JEF, NATO, five power agreement. I’d say that’s a considerable force to muster against anyone. With the way that CANZUK is getting advertised, we must expect a further integration of HM naval resources in the next 5 years. Our greatest ally, the former 13 colonies have also extended our integration of carrier interoperability. What more do you want people?!

    • To at least deploy a full CSG independently (even though allies will almost certainly always join us) while not abandoning our responsibilities and interests elsewhere.

        • A mix of Trolls trying to put the nation down and the good old British moaning.

          They’re not wrong on numbers, but it’s not changing soon so why winge. I try to see the positives top.

          • Hear hear, we also have ships greater than anything we’ve seen in the last what, 50 years?! Even the original cva001 etc was smaller than the present flat tops. Add type 83s in eventually, I mean who is doing that in Europe? We are still by far in the premier league.

          • I agree with you as well. Comparing ourselves with the US is ridiculous; they have completely different budgets, industries etc. But if we compare ourselves with anyone else, we are indeed doing very well. 24 escorts is almost double what the next largest fleet in Europe will have (France with 15) and our carriers have more capability than all the Europeans combined. And then the RFA… which is also larger by displacement than every European auxiliary combined. In fact, it’s still ahead of China.

          • “ships greater than anything we’ve seen in the last what, 50 years?” The T31s have little ASW capability & very limited SAM capability that can be soon exhausted, none of our escorts have up to date AShMs. We keep inflicting basic capability gaps none of our adversaries would ever allow. Our weaknesses & failures do not make the world safer.

          • We’re on the brink of major conflict in the far east & Baltics/Ukraine, at virtual war online/infrastrucure yet we’re stupidly weak & remaining so for many years to come. That’s why I think it’s very apt to decry the deplorable state of our armed forces.

    • Totally agree, in many ways we as a nation do punch above our size. I wish we could have a fleet the size of the Grand Fleet, but thats wishful thinking. Realistically a surface action fleet of 24 is a minimum needed, 30 FFGs/DDGs would be better for the diffrent tasks the RN need to carry out. I do think we need a few more subs, possibly we should think about AIP for subs that are to operate closer to home and in the Med leaving the nucs to go roaming. My major concern is Amphibious capability, and yes I do keep harking on about it. I do think that we need a two teir capability, the first could be based on the MRSS for company strength Royal Marine operations. The second to be based on LHDs, Canberra size vessels and Dokdo type vessels, in a 1+2 to form and Amphibious assault group. The troops and equipment for this group would come from the army as a UK version of the US MEU. If we could have two Amphibious groups meaning a 2+4 LHDs then one could be deployed anywhere in the world where a quick reaction might be needed. Combine one Amphib Group with a Carrier Group and you have a veery potent deterant. It would also give the Army greater flexibility and punch with limited numbers, the ability to reinforce Norway quickly and in numbers.
      Again some might say wishful thinking, but in many ways this thinking is a possibility, I did some number crunshing and for the two Canberras and four Dokdo’s the cost of construction is about £2.5 billion. Then again I can wish.

  8. So they are saying that at least 1 T31 will be built, tested and operational in 4 and half / 5 years time. I find that very hard to believe. A new class of frigate will need at least a year to work up for starters. Another example of over optimism I’m afraid.

    • The official in-service date was supposed to be in 2027, but that was before the recent shake up. According to an article George wrote Feb 2020:

      “The Ministry of Defence also reportedly told the Commons Library “the competition we held demonstrated that no bidder could achieve a ship in the water before 2023” but suggested to the author that the in-service date could be earlier than 2027.”

      Here’s the kind of schedule they could aim for

      Steel cut: Sept ’21
      Floated off: June ’23
      Fitted out: June ’24
      Delivered: March ’25
      Commissioned: Oct ’25
      Operational End ’26.

      I don’t think any of these dates would be outrageous, were it not for the fact that Babcock have never built a frigate before.

  9. There is one axiom: accept the numbers when their built. Up until then no government forecast is worth the breath-lessness it’s delivered with.
    “HS2, Brutus?”
    Well, two axioms. The ultimate UK escort numbers will be dictated by the Chinese & Russians. Hopefully more if we have time. Possibly less if we don’t.

  10. Ideally we’d just have more Type 26s on order. I do get operating two types of frigates though, and the Type 31s will be better suited to some (solo mainly) roles.

    But three types? Seems to be overcomplicating things and asking for trouble.

    And we really should have had eight Type 45s (and another Astute). Almost criminal that we don’t.

  11. Because he went to the Peppa Pig World with his son.
    Why should any Dad not be?
    Are YOU not a Dad proud of being involved with YOUR Child.

    Wally.

    • Classic.

      There are many things that HMG and BJ have not done well, but highlighting a speech in which the guy lost his lines ( hardly unusual ) and mentioned his trip to a park with his son isn’t one of them.

      If not wearing Boris bashing glasses anyone can understand his refs and meaning to an audience of businessmen, and he mentioned the value of TV to our economy.

      His message was lost in the media frenzy to find something, anything, to highlight. Along with a leaker in Downing street helping things along.

      All because of Brexit and an 80 seat majority. Never forgiven by the usual suspects.

      My housework is tomorrow, thanks. Today I was helping my 84 year old father. He also fondly talks and remembers baby stuff with me, his son.

      Boris as PM is obviously not allowed.

      You have the brain cells and intellect of a gnat don’t you, mentioning Peppa Pig.

      Keep to you’re level. 👍

    • Are we the laughing stock who are currently making new relationships and deals with Ukraine, Japan, Australia, and who’s carrier group just exercised with over 40 nations? Oh while having COP 26 here too.

      Right….😆 keep pushing the agenda.

    • Peppa pig world is pretty dire, I would almost prefer to subject myself to Disneyland.

      although we did go in an April of that really Cold spell we had about 5 years ago….there were actual icicles on the rides….nothing like slowly going around a ride as your snot feels like it’s freezing to you nose….kids loved it the little psychos.

  12. Scrapping the bottom of a barrel now to find anything to comment about, that is relevant to the article.
    Failed again, I see!

    • Biting is fun. It shows you up every time.

      When you post normal stuff in a sensible manner you won’t get bitten. Has happened occasionally.

  14. Where will he get the crews ? Where will he get the money ? Both will come from the good work he did when FSL and why Johnson wanted him and the MoD didn’t.

  15. I’m not concerned about the weapon limitations on the type31. Plenty of capacity to increases sensor and weapons systems in the future, as and when funding permits. The key thing is to get them built and commissioned.

    24 surface warships ( frigate/destroyer) is about half of the RN in 1990. The peace dividend narrative predicted force levels of circa 50% , so I’m comfortable with this. My concern is that once this level is reached, the Batch 1 Rivers will be retired without replacement , adding pressure on the fleet

      • That’s exactly my point Robert. It is financially challenging to fund those 50% for levels. So on balance, this is not a bad situation to be in

    • I would imaging so as the Batch2s being forward based seams to be a solution to the present reduction in escort numbers and not permanent. So the B2s would be replaced on station by T31 and come home to cover the home waters constabulary duties ( which is more what they are designed for), the south Atlantic B2 would stay.

    • The former first sea lord, now head of the armed forces, stated at a recent Defence Select Committee that mk41 silos for the T31 are being actively considered. All is not lost!

  16. So 24 escorts by 2030 ?

    Thats
    6 T45
    8 T23/26
    5 T31
    5 T32

    Very big ask. So will the in service dates of the 31s be moved forward to 2026 ? I suppose if the ship builderS and RN could then bring into service 2 per year that gets you close. The 32s would need to be a very much a T31 Batch 2 I would imagine.

    • I imagine it would mean a further increase in the life of the T23s. If Westminster and Northumberland could sustain a few more years there’d be 8xT23 and 3xT26s, as well as 5 T31s. That’s 22 escorts.

      If you could count a Type 32 and a Type 26 delivered, but not yet commissioned, you reach 24. Even that would require a speed increase in Type 26 building.

    • If the T31/32s prove to be quick and cost-efficient to manufacture and operate why not an extra 1 of each to bolster fleet numbers and availability?

  17. Actually the UK’s international standing has greatly improved over the past 20 years, and over the past 5 years. In 2001 we were an economy smaller than France, far less influential than countries like Germany and Russia. Today, we are Europe’s foremost military and diplomatic power, and are on track to become its largest economic power (as of this year we’re only half a trillion behind the Germans), and probably the worlds third most influential country. I’d say we’re doing pretty well.

    • By what metric has our international standing improved over the last 20 years? Europe’s foremost diplomatic power according to who? I partially agree with your military power comment although I’d say we’re on a par with France in some areas and behind in others. Your comment on the UK being on track to become Europe’s largest economy is utter nonsense – according to who and do you have any reliable sources for such an assertion? The UK’s economy is currently 3/4’s the size of Germany and is forecast to grow at a fairly anaemic rate from 2023 onwards. The UK has a powerful military and is a highly influential economy for its size but it is, by all accounts, a middle sized power.

  18. Unless the Bacchante Class (T31) are adequately equipped for ASuW and ASW they will be floating death traps. I am gobsmacked as to how a once ruler of the waves can neglect such basic capabilities. The RN leadership have lost the plot, and against any peer the RN surface fleet wouldn’t last till tea time.
    The RN needs to take a leaf from the RAF and look to control the seas through possessing the capabilities to do so. As the DS Committee said the current surface fleet are nothing but hedgehogs.
    Sorry to be critical, but failure here costs lives and as an island nation leaves my country vulnerable. Either properly equip the navy or don’t pretend to be a major power.

  19. Of course – the navy we have today is the navy we’d go to war with. So FFBNW policy is a disaster waiting to happen, and I’m surprised that Wallace, Quinn and 1SL haven’t grasped this basic lesson from history. Where is the red teaming, where is the challenge to group thinking?

    • I agree PRJ, criminal negligence I say. The free world is under serious existential threat from Russia & China but we are told to be happy we’ve got the tiniest fleet for centuries & shambolic plans to increase the fleet at glacial pace.

  20. Cameron’s defence cuts in 2010 left a gap in the RN that has taken over a decade to repair. Britain imports 50% of its diet, and most of its raw materials. The sheer irresponsibility of allowing the number of convoy escorts to drop to as little as 13 shows a total abdication from risk management. We are fortunate that Admiral Radakin and others like him stayed the course through the dark days, and are now putting things to rights.

  21. This appalling RN escort nadir is a green light to all our foes to try it on before we finally get our finger out. Thankfully Chinas neighbours in the far east haven’t caught this abysmal ideology of running force numbers into the ground.

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