The lack of any meaningful air defence missile is the biggest weakness of Type23 frigate. The seawolf is useful for only point blank missile intercepting. Can't even shoot down a visual range helo or low flying aircraft for than 15km away.
this is why upgrade #5 is important on the list above
5. New Missiles; good candidate is the South African Umkhonto-R @ 60km (also see if longer range booster can be added for even more range, hopefully all the way to 120km to be able to engage brahmos lo-lo launch point, or before brahmos starts to dive from hi-lo profile), 30 km Umkhonto-IR but modified to have two variant, one IR and One Active radar homing for even closer in engagement
options for a 11 or 21 cell FL-3000N along with 1-2 x type 730 CIWS for point defense, all this for layered defense.
Umkhonto are similar launch and layout as current type 23's missiles, so an easier VLS change. also Umkhonto-R good for engaging Brahmos, if upgraded with high-performance active RF seeker and high agility like aster 15/30 or sea ceptor/camm with capability against stealthy targets. "Thanks to the unique combination of aerodynamic control and direct thrust vector control called “PIF-PAF, the missile is capable of high g maneuvers. Together, these features give ASTER an unmatched hit-to-kill capability."
Explained – Can The US Navy Can Shoot Down The Deadly BrahMos Missile? | Defencyclopedia
I said Type 22 is junk , like the OHP ..
I agree type 22 is junk, ohp is junk (but because it doesn't give access to subsystems to bring the PN to the modern level/arena of war fighting)
i was not referencing your post when i was saying "IMHO the type 23 is not junk". I was just stating it as a general statement.
If PN will contract then it will be of 13 frigates from UK with upgrades.
your sarcastic remark deflects from addressing why this specific option, in your opinion, is not appropriate (also I think 3 is enough to operate and learn from British tech, and make upgrades worth the effort from the Brits; the Chilean deal was also for 3, while having a decent number to operate with some efficiency)
I don't advocate the type 23 as is, but as a platform, to be modernized, to gain access to modern European tech
It would be similar to the PAF buying a squadran of UAE Mirage 2000-9 if it did not have any options of getting similar tech for a long time
the PN doesn't have access to the level of technology the type 23 can allow (chinese options are not as mature in some areas); 2087 towed array sonar; if they allow the sale, alone is modern, and command and control upgrades, smart s mk.2 radar, quieter propulsion (allowing a training platform for ASW work, a modest AAW capability), NH-90, Advanced anti-submarine defenses/countermeasures, electronic warfare equipment/jammers, etc.
No but not all. I wish to see 2x32 Cell VLS Launchers. One in front and one at the back of the ship.
Having missiles from Western-Chinese-Russian-Localized ones.
The deck space could modified to carry different types of VLS tubes (a chinese HQ-16/Shtil-1 missile system) and a south african or european system beside it
unless we operate a VLS equiped ship we wont get the hang of modern AAW operations, and the type 23 is probably the lowest cost/risk option with the benefit of having alot of other subsystems the PN needs to acquire (full spectrum of capabilities can be acquired with modernizing these ships)
But PN needs to materialize things quickly.
If Pakistan makes acquiring these ships a priority, and makes a deal to have the British guarantee important upgrades, the British would probably agree to part with ships in a matter of a few years (3-5 years to get the first ship, and the last of the three in 7-8 years from now) if the price is right.
