New Canadian Shipbuilding Strategy

[Colin Parkinson]

I am not convinced the battleships production was halted because they wanted to build more frigates and destroyers, but more because they realized almost right away that battleships were not the top dog anymore and rather just big targets with no benefits. They did continue and increased the production of aircraft carriers, for instance.

BTW, the corvettes developed the tactics for convoy escort function (raspberry and half-raspberry), but none related to the work of hunter-killer groups. Those came mostly from the brilliant mind of Capt Johnny Walker, a RN long serving regular.

They were halted because it was clear they would not be ready in time to take part in hostilities, with delays in every aspect, because all the sub contractors making ship components were carrying full order books. They would have very much liked to have another 4 modern Battleships (Which would also allow them to layup the remaining Revenge class that were obsolete at the beginning of WWII. You note that Vanguard carried older turrets and guns to speed up commissioning.

 

[oldcpu]

Possibly this 'trip down memory lane' on the shipbuilding of the DDH-280s has been posted before? ... I don't know. I just stumbled across it today and found it most interesting. A lot of what was being done at the time (gas turbine engines, two helicopter hanger with RAST (bear trap)) were all pretty innovative, compared to what other navies had.

But if not read before - it could be of interest - especially some of the deliberations and how the design changed ...

The article starts on page-6 of this June-1998 Maritime Engineering Journal.

https://www.cntha.ca/static/documents/mej/mej-44.pdf

 

[Kirkhill]

British Type 31 Frigate Variant Offered To The U.S. Navy

Babcock is looking to pitch its Arrowhead 140 design for an American frigate requirement, potentially in partnership with a major U.S. shipbuilder. Babcock is looking to pitch its Arrowhead 140 design for an American frigate requirement, potentially in partnership with a major U.S. shipbuilder.

www.twz.com

Babcock pitches Type 31 for US Navy frigate programme - Navy Lookout

Babcock is preparing to offer its Arrowhead 140 frigate, the design behind the Royal Navy’s Type 31, to the US Navy as Washington looks abroad for a proven escort it can build quickly. Any deal would probably see the majority of ships built in American yards, with the UK supplying design and...

www.navylookout.com

Navy eyes speeding up warship production to update ‘rotting’ fleet

Babcock could be asked to accelerate its construction of frigates in industry shift to a wartime footing, amid concerns the current vessels are unseaworthy

www.thetimes.com

Navy red tape delaying Britain’s war footing, warns Babcock

Two-year process of checks is too long and risks further delays, says defence giant

www.telegraph.co.uk

The Brits and Yanks are in the same place we are. No frigates.

The Yanks are desperate enough they are looking at buying ships offshore. Babcock would love some of that action and has open lines. The Brits aren't buying in large numbers. The lines could be available in short order if..... if the Danes don't buy and more importantly, if there are no delays.

So delays on the Type 31s now are PR poison.

 

[Gordon Dundas/]

Its nothing to be jealous of - they cant afford this. Their economy is in absolute shambles. Theyre running a 31% inflation rate for example.

Possibly this 'trip down memory lane' on the shipbuilding of the DDH-280s has been posted before? ... I don't know. I just stumbled across it today and found it most interesting. A lot of what was being done at the time (gas turbine engines, two helicopter hanger with RAST (bear trap)) were all pretty innovative, compared to what other navies had.

But if not read before - it could be of interest - especially some of the deliberations and how the design changed ...

The article starts on page-6 of this June-1998 Maritime Engineering Journal.

https://www.cntha.ca/static/documents/mej/mej-44.pdf

Everything I've read about the 280s during that time comments of how revolutionary they were.
More then a few of the articles and papers that I've read also mentioned just how close the Navy's engineering side came to breaking.
The talent pool wasn't a deep or as broad as the Government and the Navy had assumed.
On top of that there was a lot of reorganization going through out both the Government and the Canadian Forces.
I believe the phrase is " interesting times ".
But they managed to pull it off and got all four Destroyers from paper to underway.
It's a great deal to be proud of.