Type 26 Global Combat Ship

Here in the US there is a strong tendency to view everything foreign as superior to everything native.  Foreign weapon systems often take on a near-magical degree of fame.  For example, the 30 mm  Millenium gun is seen as vastly superior to the Phalanx CIWS, despite no actual supporting data that I’m aware of.

Another example of this is the reverence with which the non-existent UK Type 26 Global Combat Ship is held.  Let’s take a look and see if the respect is deserved.

For starters, the ship is not yet built so it makes comparisons a bit difficult but we’ll do the best we can.  The non-existence of the ship probably also explains why it is held in such high regard – everything sounds good on paper!  The F-35 sounded good.  The LCS sounded good.  The Ford sounded good.  And so on.

Anyway …

Here’s a brief summary of the ship’s characteristics and how they compare to the US Burke class DDG.  Recognize, though, that the Type 26 is not intended to be a functional equivalent to a Burke.  This comparison is just to give readers a point of reference that is familiar.

                 Type 26                Burke

Cost              $1.6B(USD)(1)         $1.8B

Length            492 ft                590 ft
Displacement      6900 t                9200 t
Speed             26+ kts               30+ kts
Range             7000 nm @ ? kts       4400 nm @ 20 kts
Gun               1x 5”                 1x 5”
AAW Missiles      48 VLS                96 VLS, any mix
Strike Missiles   24 VLS                above, any mix
Radar             Type 997 Artisan 3D   SPY-1D
Sonar             Towed Array and Bow   Towed Array and Bow
Aviation          1x Merlin/2x Wildcat  2x MH-60R

The Type 26 is described as a multi-mission, “global combat” ship with an emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW).  The ship is claimed to have an acoustically quiet hull, whatever that means.  One would hope that it means that the ship’s machinery is rafted and acoustically isolated from the hull, among other quieting measures.

Type 26

The ship’s anti-air weaponry consists of vertically launched Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles (CAMM), also known as Sea Ceptor.  Sea Ceptor has an advertised range of around 15 miles.  Guidance is via mid-course datalink and terminal active radar homing.  The missile is credited with a limited anti-surface capability against small craft.

The ship’s ASW fit is credible but not outstanding.  The inability to operate two large ASW helos is a drawback as is the lack of on board ASW lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes and a quick reaction Hedgehog/RBU type weapon.  On paper, the Type 26 ASW capability appears to be on par with the Burke or even a bit below since the Burke can operate two large ASW helos.

In summary, allowing for the inevitable cost increases, the Type 26 will equal or exceed the cost of a Burke and have around half the capabilities.  There is nothing that stands out about the Type 26 to warrant any special attention.  It appears to be a capable albeit overpriced ship.




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(1)Royal Navy news website,

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/july/02/170702-deal-for-t26-frigates,
article cites £3.7B(UK) contract for first three ships which equates to $1.6B(USD) assuming a 1:1.3 conversion rate to USD;  already this represents an increase over the $1.3B cost cited in 2016 (2)

(2)Defence Committee hearing, 20-Jul-2016,

http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/defence-committee/naval-procurement-type-26-and-type-45/oral/35261.html,
assumes a 1:1.3 conversion rate to USD