"There's also a difference between an unpowered barge and a mobile missile carrier...."
I agree - but then they haven't thought of that -they want it to be minimally manned and CHEAP! - So forget about beds, a/c, radios/ radar, a kitchen and other softening luxuries . and maybe powered by outboard engines.... Outsource the crew and flag them in the Marshall Islands....... Read any history of UK warship design since 1945 and it's often about how the original design grows when such things are suddenly remembered...................
The River Class cost the RN approx three times the price of similar vessels sold to Brazil - not all of that was extra kit, and yes it was probably a better ship but it shows how hard it is to get anything "cheap" in UK procurement. Possibly they'll finish up as T31's without a helicopter or anti-sub capability.
I wait in anticipation.
