I do feel the best bet for an arsenal ship type concept is to simply make either C-1 or C-2 (or preferably both) a stretched Type 45, with more VLS cells. The design would be stretched to allow a longer VLS fore, and possibly add a VLS amidships. The forward VLS would take advantage of the built-in space for the sixteen strike length cells, taking it to 64 cells; this would then be stretched by around 50% in length, taking it to 96 cells. This does look possible from the overhead views of the T45, but that is just guesswork. This would give 96 cells, to be filled with a mix of Aster 30, Tomahawk/Scalp and CAMM; e.g. 40 Aster 30, 40 Tomahawk/Scalp and 64 CAMM in total.

If you want to opt for a true arsenal ship, to be a simply VLS hauler, on a simple hull, yet keep up with the Type 45, then the solution would be a catamaran, e.g. the JHSV. These have the advantage of a lot of physical deckspace, lots of speed, and relatively simple design. The 7m length of the proposed Sylver A70 wouldn’t be too much of a problem, it would be about the height of the hangar plus one deck below. As such, you could build a JHSV type hull, packed with VLS cells, equipped with a basic but sufficient defensive fitout, along the lines of what we would fit to the C-3. There would be deckspace for over 100 cells, yet on a small hull. Since it is using standoff weapons, it doesn’t need to get too close to danger anyway, but even if it does, it could close at 40 knots, launch and return quickly.

If the UK is to get any true SSGN capability, then it pretty much all depends on what the Vanguard replacement looks like. If the costs can be kept down (yes, you can laugh at that the very idea!), then buying a couple more to serve as SSGNs might work. This would mean something like six hulls, with a modular launch tube, to allow either cruise missiles or Trident. We would then keep three or four full sets of Trident, and three or four sets of cruise missile launchers. This would always guarantee the deterrent, yet allow us to put to sea plenty of conventional firepower whenever necessary.