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Type 31 Frigates: Guided Weapons

Asked by Luke AkehurstLabourMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 19 March 2026UIN 120439

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of converting Type 31 frigates into air‑defence or land‑attack variants through installation of Mk41 Vertical Launch Systems.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The Type 31 frigate has been designed with flexibility and adaptability in mind, including provision within its baseline design to accommodate a range of future capability enhancements as required.

As part of routine capability planning, the Ministry of Defence keeps potential upgrades to all Royal Navy platforms under regular review.

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