No matter how hard someone wishes it, an OPV will never come close to covering the loss of Frigate hulls. It really depends what RN want the vessel to do. If it is general maritime security patrols, Defence engagement and HADR then a properly appointed OPV is a better choice than a Frigate. OPV des...

In all honesty, I have read a lot about what the black section could and could not be. To be it just seems like a cradle infrastructure to assist keeping the ship in position/upright. You can see the red paint underneath through the odd holes in the structure.

At last, the crew of HMS Argyll walkted into HMS IronDuke. Almost sure that, HMS Montrose's crew, when she came back to UK for decommissioning in 2023, will walk into HMS Argyll. twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1531241965483966465 Then, this means, RN is manning only 3 of GP Type-23s (Lancaster, Arg...

The trouble you have with your SSN plan is that it will have to be replacements for the Astutes as HMS Astute will be approximately 30 years old then, time expired.