Large Guns in Frigates

Comment on the article “£183 million deal for new gun on Type 26 Global Combat Ship sustains 43 skilled UK jobs“

The United Kingdom Royal Navy sees the utility of procuring a large gun (5″ or 127mm) for their future frigates. It is evidently for naval fire support ( = shooting at targets ashore). There is a point there for Canada and procurement of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC), a globally-deployable general-purpose frigate (though the Royal Canadian navy has not announced the ship type as such). A big gun would provide more options in situations short of major combat at sea for naval commanders and for national decision makers. It is much preferable to put a few kilos of explosive into a situation rather than one of a limited number of large missiles carried onboard. It can be hoped that whatever proposal is made by industry for the CSC includes such a gun.