Two new calibers? On top of the 5" being added? Export wise the 5" as a maximum I think would have been desirable. The 5" is a quite a flexible round, and is (or its approximate 130mm) standard on every major surface unit on the planet.
Going a 5" with 2 x 40mm I think would have been quite neat, but I am not sure the design could take that, it might be roomy enough if you delete 1 x 40mm, but we are talking a pretty significant modification, if it can take it at all. I guess these are the compromises you need to make with a smaller design. I'm not what exactly 57mm gets you that 40mm doesn't (particularly with the 6 mode ammunition being basically the same other than size), and if you aspire to something larger, then the 5" has to be very attractive with many options and much heavy hitter and range.
I do wonder how much money this all saves. There are reasons to build smaller ships, but when you are already in the middle of building a class of larger ships seems like poor timing to me. Particularly if the driver is the "save money". With all different weapons and systems in a completely different configuration. I guess we will be able to evaluate after the project is finished.
I wonder if the Type 26 could take a pair of 40mm.. Replacing the 30mm.. Would be nice to have some commonality there too. The 40mm would be a huge upgrade on the 30mm.
So many different calibers on these two ships in the same navy. 7.62mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm 57mm, 127mm. While transitioning RN must be playing pokemon. While transitioning out of 113mm. Throw in 76mm and I think you would have bingo.