Here are three suggestions how the Type22 could have been brought up to date with relatively simple means:
First out is my proposed modernization of the HMS Sheffield to enable her to soldier on till at least 2020. The weapons' outfit have been refurbished. VLS Sea Wolf have replaced the sextuble launchers fore-and-aft. Instead two 16-cell installations have been fitted abreast the funnel, either side. A 4.5" DP gun is in place in lieu of the old MM38 SSMs and she also have two Goalkeepers. Just abaft the bridge there are two four-canister Harpoon launchers. The electronics have been heavily upgraded too. The ship's A/S weapons' outfit has largely been removed, since the ship's mission has been changed to a general-purpose one. This is a mild, but, I believe realistic variant, devoid of any fantastic, outlandish suggestions. The economic aspect is also tolerable, had the British economy in itself been in a better shape.
I'm only posting these variants since many people claim interest in such ideas! Here's the Sheffield as of now in RN-colors:
1)
![[ img ]](http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx161/Bezobrazov/GB-FF-Type22_B2_Sheffield-SP-SB5-1.png)
The other variant is a slightly more elaborate one, with the Sea Wolf VLS positioned forward of the bridge with additional protective shields for the bridge. Thus the forward Goalkeeper has been deleted. Also in place of the midships Sea Wolf VLS installations two RHIBs on either side have been mounted on elevated platforms with an integrated twin-armed davit.
2)
![[ img ]](http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx161/Bezobrazov/GB-FF-Type22_B2_Sheffield-SP-SB6.png)
Next in line is the Rumanian Regina Maria in another rather realistic and affordable reconstruction. Here the missiles used are largely taken from U.S. weapons' depots as to keep puchase price down. A mix of Israeli and French electronics have replaced to a large extent the ship's original British-made radars etc. The SAM is the Israeli manufactured Barak-system (and fyi: President Obama spells his surname Barack) with the Barak-1 short- to medium distance missile. The air-search radar is the French DRBV-22A radar. All this reflects a historic truth: Even during the Communist-Era, under Nicolae Ceauseauscu, Rumania maintained independent, and fairly strong ties with France. It also was the sole Eastern-Bloc country that maintained cordial relations with the State of Israel! Thus the Jewish State is acknowledging this by assisting the Rumanians in their modernization efforts of their two capital vessels.
The ship has also received a new, comprehensive ECM-set. With a stronger economy this proposition, I think would not be out of the question!
Here's the Regina Maria:
![[ img ]](http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx161/Bezobrazov/Rom-FF-Type22_B2_Regina-Maria-Modernized-SB-2-1.png)
The third and last example is a purely fictional thing. It was construed by me as a proposition for swin_lad for his AU CSS, where I assumed that, in exchange for extensive right to the Scottish-owned natural reservoir deposits in the North Sea, the English Government would allow the Royal Scots Government to purchase the four remaining Batch3s. This having been done the Scots next had the ships rebuilt and modernized at Inverness and Rosyth, where an adapted version of the CEAFAR/CEAMOUNT multi-radar system was fitted together with the Aster-missile system. HMS Cumberland was renamed after the ancient university town of St Andrew, as well as the historic 1 Rate St Andrew of 1668. Thus can be explained the naval ensign and the ship's pennant number.
I hereby give you the fictional H.M.C.S.S. St Andrew:
![[ img ]](http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx161/Bezobrazov/FF-Type-22_BIII_St-Andrew_F01-0-2.png)