GARCIA
Displacement:2,624 tons (light)
BROOKE
Displacement:
2,640 tons std
3,426 tons full
GEARING
Displacement:
2,616 tons standard;
3,460 tons full load
LEANDER
Displacement:
2,500 tons (later 2,790 tons) standard
2,962 tons (later 3,300 tons) full load
TYPE 21
Displacement:
2,750 tons (standard)
3,250 tons (full load)
F22P Zulfiquar
Displacement:2,500 tonnes (standard)
3,144 tonnes (full load)
F22P's size seems to fit quite well, considering the ships PN has operated before. I'm not convinced of the need for a bigger ship. As is evidenced by the refit of the Thai navy's Naresuan class, which was built in China (as F25T) and is also a Type053 frigate derivative, a ship of this size can well fit an Mk41 tactical length 8-cell VLU. That ship was fitted for but not with, and is currently undergoing refit which will have it fitted along with various new electronics. ESSM would give about the same range as the SM1 the OHP used to carry. Besides, in addition to Mk41 there is the Mk48/57 used on e.g. Danish Stanflex ships, which allows installation of 1 or 2 x 6-cell launcher (i.e. with duo packed ESSM > 12-24 missiles). And finally, LMCO developed the Single Cell Launcher (SCL) . This design provides for a flexible system that is easily configurable particularly where size and space concerns are paramount, such as for smaller, lighter ship classes like those found in many international navies.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/conte...s/launchers/Single_Cell_Launcher_brochure.pdf
You could add say 2-4 SCL units (> 8 to 16 ESSM, or active radar homing 2-4 SM6) to F22P, even leaving HQ7 in place. You would mainly have a problem finding a good spot for an additional missile director / illuminator
Before
During refit