Work conducted under the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Sustained Surface Combatant Capability (S2C2) programme has formulated a bold three-tier plan to recapitalise the bulk of the Royal Navy's (RN's) surface fleet through to 2035.
The new strategy envisages a Future Surface Combatant (FSC) capability being delivered by three distinct ship types variously optimised for high-end warfighting, stabilisation operations and a miscellany of constabulary and minor war vessel tasks. In addition to fleet rationalisation, maximising commonality of equipment/systems, and providing industry with a steady production 'drumbeat', it also attempts to balance the need for high-end warfighting capabilities with the requirement to have sufficient hulls for emerging maritime security tasks.
Although not yet fully endorsed by the MoD, the draft blueprint is already understood to have received a favourable reception from the Navy Board.
S2C2, one of two ' Pathfinder' initiatives established last year, has brought together a joint MoD/industry team to produce a long-term roadmap for the delivery of an affordable and sustainable Joint Maritime Surface Combatant Capability and inform the FSC programme. 'Pathfinder' work is also intended to establish a new model for MoD and industry to deliver through-life capability management as part of a wider programme of equipment acquisition reform resulting from the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS).
S2C2 will report at the end of March 2007, with study outputs informing the MoD's Directorate Equipment Capability (Above Water Effects) next planning round (PR08). Current planning assumptions foresee FSC starting to enter service in the latter half of the next decade.
Presenting an overview of early outcomes to a Defence Manufacturers Association conference on 30 January, S2C2 team leader Commodore Steve Brunton told delegates that current thinking had shaped plans for the replacement of the RN's current Type 22 Batch 3 and Type 23 frigates, plus a range of minor war vessels, with three new classes of surface combatants. He identified these as:
• a Force Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Combatant (known as C1);
• a Stabilisation Combatant (C2);
• an Ocean-Capable Patrol Vessel (C3).
"S2C2 largely focuses on the relationship between the current Type 22 and Type 23 frigates and FSC," Cdre Brunton said, "but it has also developed linkages to other capabilities. Mine countermeasures [MCM], patrol vessels and surveys vessels all offer us opportunities.
"The plan we have developed takes eight existing classes down to just three. The capability currently delivered by the Type 22s and Type 23s would be replaced by C1 and C2, while C3 would replace the capabilities of our existing mine warfare fleet but also offer additional capability for maritime security tasks."
Jane's understands that C1 is envisaged as a multimission combatant of about 6,000 tons displacement. "It would operate as an integral part of the maritime strike group or amphibious task group," said Cdre Brunton, "offering high-end ASW, land attack and coastal suppression. It would also have an organic MCM capability and facilities for an embarked military force".
He continued: "C2 would meet the policy requirement for operations in support of small-scale stabilisation operations, sea line protection and chokepoint escort." One continuing debate is whether C1 and C2 should be based on the same generic hull but with differences across their respective equipment fits to reflect the capability split between the two.
C3 is currently envisaged as a vessel of approximately 2,000 tonnes displacement with a range of 7,000 n miles. "We see this vessel being used for maritime security and interdiction operations," said Cdre Brunton. "It would also have a large mission bay aft, reconfigurable for special forces, MCM or a Lynx helicopter."
Analysis on the force mix continues. Early planning estimates suggest a requirement for 10 C1-type vessels and eight C2 ships. The initial requirement for C3 is thought to number eight ships, these being primarily roled for MCM as replacements for the current Hunt-class and Sandown-class vessels. However, this number could rise significantly if potential long-term replacements for the three River-class offshore patrol vessels, the Falkland Islands patrol vessel HMS Clyde, and the survey ships HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise later enter the equation.
Cdre Brunton acknowledged that the roadmap developed under S2C2 "is not yet endorsed MoD policy", but added: "We are hoping for endorsement [in PR08] to make this option set a reality."
