https://www.navylookout.com/the-roya...-will-it-last/
The Royal Navy’s frigate gap – how deep and how long will it last?
....The MoD is reportedly facing a shortfall of more than £2 billion in the current financial year, triggering an urgent search for savings.....
With the economy stagnating and no headroom left for further borrowing, providing additional funds to the MoD will be bottom of the list of priorities for a Chancellor who refuses to address ballooning welfare costs. In the longer term, the RN faces more resourcing pressure while trying to fund major programmes that include 12 SSNs, MRSS and Type 83/FADS, which may not bode well for the future frigate fleet......
Ugly rumours
According to various sources, the deal to sell Type 26 frigates to Norway could turn from a huge industrial and strategic success into something of a trap for the RN.
There are suggestions that more ships from the middle of the production run could be sold to the Norwegians to defer capital costs. Worse still, they might not be replaced by new orders, lowering the number of RN T26s below the eight promised.
At more than £1Bn each, reducing T26 numbers while keeping the shipyards busy may be too much temptation for the Treasury. Flogging off some of the T31s (There would be no shortage of interest) as they are completed is another whisper doing the rounds......
HMS Glasgow, fitting out at Scotstoun and due to begin sea trials in 2026, and enter service the following year. HMS Cardiff, Belfast and Birmingham are progressing steadily behind her. The first Norwegian ship is required by 2030, so either HMS Belfast or Birmingham will probably be renamed as the lead Norwegian vessel.
Forecasting how the T26 programme will look beyond the delivery of HMS Glasgow and Cardiff is therefore something of an unknown and will depend on negotiations involving BAE Systems, the RN, the Treasury and the Norwegian government....