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Type 26 vs Type 31

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Specifications
Type 26 Type 31
Origin 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Category Frigate Frigate
Type Anti-submarine frigate General-purpose frigate
Manufacturer BAE Systems, Govan and Scotstoun Babcock International, Rosyth
Year introduced 2026 2027
Number built 8 units 5 units
Estimated unit price $1,600 million $340 million
Displacement 8,000 tons 5,700 tons
Maximum speed 26.0 knots 28.0 knots
Range 7,000 nm 9,000 nm at 18 knots
Length 149.9 m 138.7 m
Beam 20.8 m 19.8 m
Crew 157 110
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Type 26 Type 31
Armament
  • 24-cell Mk 41 strike-length VLS
  • 48 × Sea Ceptor (CAMM) air-defence missiles
  • 1 × 127 mm Mk 45 gun
  • 2 × 30 mm guns, Phalanx CIWS
  • Reconfigurable mission bay
  • Type 2087 towed array sonar
  • 12+ × Sea Ceptor (CAMM) air-defence missiles
  • 1 × 57 mm Bofors Mk 110 gun
  • 2 × 40 mm Bofors Mk 4 guns
  • Fitted for Mk 41 VLS
Propulsion CODLOG: Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine + 4 diesel generators, 2 electric motors CODAD: 4 × MAN diesels, 2 shafts

Overview

The Type 26 and the Type 31 are both Frigate classes.

Displacement is 8,000 tons for the Type 26 vs 5,700 tons for the Type 31. The Type 26 reaches 26 knots vs 28 knots for the Type 31. Operational range is 7,000 nautical miles for the Type 26 vs 9,000 for the Type 31. The Type 26 carries a crew of 157 vs 110 for the Type 31.

The Type 26 was produced in 8 units vs 5 for the Type 31. Cost per hull is $1,600M for the Type 26 vs $340M for the Type 31. The Type 26 was commissioned in 2026, 1 years before the Type 31 (2027).

Related Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Type 26-class or Type 31-class?
The Type 26-class has greater displacement at 8,000 tons compared to the Type 31-class's 5,700 tons.
Which is faster, the Type 26-class or Type 31-class?
The Type 31-class is faster with a maximum speed of 28 knots compared to the Type 26-class's 26 knots.
Which has longer range, the Type 26-class or Type 31-class?
The Type 31-class has a longer range at 9,000 nautical miles compared to the Type 26-class's 7,000 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Type 26-class or Type 31-class?
The Type 26-class is longer at 149.9 meters compared to the Type 31-class's 138.7 meters.
How many crew members do the Type 26-class and Type 31-class have?
The Type 26-class has a larger crew complement of 157 compared to the Type 31-class's 110 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Type 26-class or Type 31-class?
The Type 26-class is more expensive at approximately $1.6 billion per unit compared to the Type 31-class at $340 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Type 26-class or Type 31-class?
The Type 26-class has been built in greater numbers with 8 vessels compared to 5 vessels of the Type 31-class.