The completed frigate force circa. 2015.
Halycon Class General Purpose Frigate(Future Combat Vessel)
F-1040 - TGS Halycon > Replaces TGS Paladin
Laid down 01-06-2015
F-1041 - TGS Heafonduguþ > Replaces TGS Pegasus
Laid down 01-06-2015
F-1042 - TGS Hilderæs > Replaces TGS Peregrine
Ordered 01-04-2015
F-1043 - TGS Hyperion > Replaces TGS Phoenix
Ordered 01-04-2015
The Halycon class will bring about a paradigm shift in the capability and mode of use of the Galenian frigate force. Able to ship Tsetse flies and cruise missiles they offer a significantly heavier punch than any of the preceding classes, especially their immediate predecessors the Paladins. Like the Paladin class the Halycon class is expected to undertake flagship taskings and global policing duties, as such they have substantial command facilities much like the Paladin class and accommodation for a small landing force albeit to a better standard than the Paladins.
The first four vessels will replace the Paladins which are coming towards the end of their eventful lives. The second batch which have yet to be ordered will replace the earlier Dukes (Walker, Warrior, Wasp and Watchman) between 2023 and 2025. These later vessels are expected to be fitted with deeper VLS cells than the currently schemed SDLS ones so as to be able to take SM-2 and its successor.
Walker Class Anti-Submarine Frigate
The Walker class form part of the cutting edge of the anti-submarine force. In partnership with the Salamander class DDHs. Unlike the Salamanders which are usually to be found alone the Walkers are normally seconded to carrier strike groups to provide part of the screening and escort force.
They were initially schemed to receive VL-ASROC but never actually got the weapons due to a change in budget and priorities meaning that Sea Lance remained the only standoff ASW weapon and the Walker class being unable to ship then were left without a standoff weapon.
However in recent years with the construction of the ASW tasked Gemstones the Walkers have been able to shift to a more general purpose tasking receiving all the trimmings expected of a ship to survive in the littorals against swarms of small craft. They are expected to remain in service in two groups to 2023 and 2030
Wildfire Class General Purpose Frigate
The Wildfire class are derived from the Walker class with much more attention given to low-radar-observability and signature reduction in other spectrums. They are outfitted in much the same way as their half sisters with the exception that they are not fitted for a towed array sonar, instead they are outfitted more towards the land-attack tasking with a plethora of options ranging from the LMM all the way to VL-SPEAR or SDB and LASM, like the Walkers they lack a strike length VLS limiting the stores that they can ship meaning that they lack the heavyweight punch of for instance a Gemstone but nonetheless they are thoroughly capable vessels and expected to remain in service until at least 2030.
Paladin Class Anti-Submarine & Command Frigate
The Paladin class are widely regarded within the RGN as the finest frigates in service despite their relative age and lack of long-range clout. They resemble a Broadsword and are indeed a derivation of the Batch III Broadsword. Capable of well in excess of 30 knots on 89,840SHP they are the fastest proper surface combatants in the navy. Their extensive command facilities and ability to ship a small landing force mean they are frequently to be seen in hotspots around the world. There are currently two in the Indian ocean operating out of Diego Garcia to counter piracy in the area.
They have had eventful lives, all four of them. Seeing service in the areas around Kosovo, Libya, East Timor most recently Somalia. Their most recent exploit was the preemptive strike and air-assault of an Al-Shabab compound and training facility in Somalia, Phoenix launched all 32 of her SDBs hitting a variety of targets including moving vehicles designated by one of her Lynxes en-route with an assault group comprising of members of 22AU, more troops from the ship's company and commandos seconded to the Phoenix were landed via RHIB before moving in-land to rendezvous with the 22AU personnel In addition to the destruction of the compound and men and materiel within it a number of skiffs and motor boats were destroyed either by direct action on the ground using demolition charges or by the Phoenix close to shore using her Spikes and 76mm gun.
Fairlight Class Second Rate Frigate
The Fairlight class stem from along with the Dagger class the restrictions imposed the RGN by the Monroe administration and 'Monroe Legislation' which limit the 'offensive' capabilities legally able to be possessed by the RGN. The Fairlight class are the younger, smaller sisters of the Daggers, being based upon the design of the Lekiu and her F2000 siblings, built in both domestic and foreign yards they employ some notable changes over the Daggers other than their smaller stature.
They are currently the only vessels in service with the RGN to utilise the Marte anti-ship missile, these being fitted from new meaning there was little requirement to fit Spike. Unlike the Daggers, they only feature a single Mk.41 block meaning they are slightly more limited in the stores that they carry - currently they only ship ESSMs but integration trials have been performed with Nulka and VS-SPEAR / SDB for use as necessary.
The mismatching pennants and names bely the fact that development of the Fairlights was a more protracted process than that of the Daggers (the original design was near enough a carbon copy of the Lekiu). So in the end they came out quite oddly with swapped pennant numbers.
In conclusion, both classes are expected to be in service for the foreseeable future being frequently deployed abroad to counter piracy and drug runners allowing the pointier part of the stick to be wielded elsewhere.
Dagger Class Second Rate Frigate
The Dagger class second rate frigate is in all but name a first rate frigate, built right up to the restrictions imposed by the Monroe legislation. They were built in both Galenian and British yards to a modified F3000 design, they entered the capability sustainment program in the past few years along with their little sisters the Fairlights receiving Artisan and Centurions amongst other upgrades.
They are fitted with a pair of Mk.41s in two eight cell blocks but no AShMs due to Monroe again. Their surface punch in recent years has been augmented by Spike-NLOS which for their intended policing role is perfectly suitable.
~Mark.