Type 22

by Leo Marriott

The Type 22s are the largest frigates ever built for the Royal Navy, and the Batch III version is almost the same size as the "County" class destroyers or a World War 2 light cruiser. They have proved to be exceptional anti-submarine warfare vessels and, as experience in the Falklands War showed, they can give a good account of themselves in other roles too.Moreover, the large hulls have been able to incorporate new weapons and equipment, a glaring contrast with the Type 42s which were built to much greater financial and political constraints. The Royal Nave is well satisfied with the Type 22s, even though it can perhaps consider itself fortunate that the construction programme has run to as many as 14 ships.In Modern Combat 4 Type 22, Leo Marriott has produced a thorough appraisal of a class which by the 1990s will have mounted a greater variety of weapon systems than any other modern RN warship.Certainly, the type will probably be best remembered for its part in introducing the Sea Wolf surface to air missile into service and the valuable work performed by Broadsword and Brilliant during the Falklands War. Nevertheless, the three Batches present interesting studies in warship design with Batch II ships featuring a lengthened hull and the Batch III units swapping Exocets for Harpoon missiles and mounting a 4.5in gun in addition.

112 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1986