Another glorified patrol ship to replace actual frigates.
For those not in the know, you're looking at a 5700 tonne ship with following weapons:
57mm gun
2 x 40mm gun
12- 24 point defence SAMs
No torpedoes, anti shipping missiles or anti submarine capabilities and a gun not capable of land bombardment.
It's replacing the Type 23 frigates – 4,900 ton:
4.5 inch (113mm) gun
2 x 30mm gun
32 point defence SAMs
8 x Harpoon AShM
2 x torpedo tubes
full ASW electronics suite.
Current RN surface fleet:
8 x Type 45 destroyer (air defence + some ASuW)
13 x Type 23 frigate (ASW/multi purpose)
Future RN surface fleet
8 x Type 45
8 x Type 26 frigate (multi role including land attack)
5 x Type 31 "light frigate"
paints his favorite from 
