FRIGATE FARCE UPDATE: Decision to suspend competition for Type 31e frigate is more about uncertainty over #MDP & @DefenceHQ budget than compliance of bids. Serious doubt about whether ships will materialise, while 2023 delivery date is “cloud cuckoo land”
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REMEMBER: These are “Fallon frigates”. Michael Fallon as defence secretary trumpeted Type 31e budget warship as his answer to stopping surface fleet shrinking when Type 26 became too expensive to buy all 13 ships required. Many said a credible £250mln warship was a pipe dream 1/2
Now it seems there’s not even £ for a budget warship, while @DefenceES realises limitations a £250mln cap imposes. Given submarine threat, what use is a frigate without means to operate in hostile waters? @GavinWilliamson suggested ASW capabilities for T31 but that costs £ 2/2
