GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

Duke vs Type 21

Duke vs Type 21 at a glance — displacement 4,900 vs 3,250 tons, length 133 vs 117 m, speed 28 vs 37 knots, crew 185 vs 177.

Specifications
Duke Type 21
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Frigate Frigate
Type Anti-submarine frigate Frigate
Manufacturer Yarrow Shipbuilders Yarrow Shipbuilders
Year introduced 1987 1974
Number built 16 units 8 units
Estimated unit price $165 million $60 million
Displacement 4,900 tons 3,250 tons
Maximum speed 28.0 knots 37.0 knots
Range 7,500 nm at 15 knots 4,000 nm at 17 knots
Length 133.0 m 117.0 m
Beam 16.1 m 12.7 m
Crew 185 177
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Duke Type 21
Armament
  • 1 × 32-cell Sea Ceptor GWS 35 VLS
  • 2 × quad Harpoon Block 1C (being replaced by Naval Strike Missile)
  • 2 × twin 12.75 in (324 mm) Sting Ray torpedo tubes
  • 1 × BAE 4.5 inch Mk 8 naval gun
  • 2 × 30 mm DS30M Mk2 guns or 2 × 30 mm DS30B guns
  • 2 × Browning .50 caliber heavy machine guns
  • 4 × General-purpose machine guns
  • 1 × 4.5 in (114 mm) Vickers Mark 8 gun
  • 2 × 20 mm Oerlikon guns (later 4)
  • 1 × 4-rail launcher for GWS-24 Sea Cat
  • 2 × 8-barrelled Knebworth Corvus countermeasures launchers
  • 4 × launchers for MM38 Exocet surface-surface missiles
  • 2 × 12.75 in (324 mm) 3-tube STWS-1 anti-submarine torpedo launchers
  • TKWA/MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System)
  • 2 x 4-cell Harpoon missile launchers
  • 1 x 6-cell LY-60N Hunting Eagle SAM launcher
  • 1 × Vulcan Phalanx 20mm CIWS
Propulsion CODLAG: 4 × 1,510 kW (2,025 hp) Paxman Valenta 12CM diesel generators or 4 × 1,650 kW (2,210 shp) MTU 12V4000 M53 diesel generators; 2 × GEC electric motors delivering 2,980 kW (3,996 hp) each; 2 × Rolls-Royce Marine Spey SM1C delivering 19,500 kW (26,150 hp) COGOG on 2 shafts; 2 × Tyne cruise turbines: 8,500 shp (6,300 kW); 2 × Olympus boost turbines: 50,000 shp (37,000 kW)
Explore further
Duke-class Specs, operators & history →
Largest operators · in service
Type 21-class Specs, operators & history →
Former operators · 8 built
Change comparison vs
Related Comparisons
Duke vs Oliver Hazard Perry Duke vs Chi Yang Duke vs FF-1052 Knox Duke vs Krivak Duke vs Meko 200 Duke vs Estienne d’Orves

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Duke-class or Type 21-class?
The Duke-class has greater displacement at 4,900 tons compared to the Type 21-class's 3,250 tons.
Which is faster, the Duke-class or Type 21-class?
The Type 21-class is faster with a maximum speed of 37 knots compared to the Duke-class's 28 knots.
Which has longer range, the Duke-class or Type 21-class?
The Duke-class has a longer range at 7,500 nautical miles compared to the Type 21-class's 4,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Duke-class or Type 21-class?
The Duke-class is longer at 133.0 meters compared to the Type 21-class's 117.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Duke-class and Type 21-class have?
The Duke-class has a larger crew complement of 185 compared to the Type 21-class's 177 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Duke-class or Type 21-class?
The Duke-class is more expensive at approximately $165 million per unit compared to the Type 21-class at $60 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Duke-class or Type 21-class?
The Duke-class has been built in greater numbers with 16 vessels compared to 8 vessels of the Type 21-class.