Indeed, heavy vehicles totally unneccessary for C3 role. Troop contingent for boarding parties, restricted shore ops, maybe a couple of utility vehicles for ground transport – if they can be shipped/lifted ashore. The important parts are the boats and helos as far as transport and evac operations go.
I think EVERY vessel that is likely to find itself underthreat should have some self-defence assets. If the mooted Bay-class was operating in the role HMS Cornwall has been trying to fill, for example, would we see it as wise to expose it as is? I’d hope not, so you tie up an escort (maybe where the C2 comes in) or at least give it a basic missile/air defence system and anti small craft (with the helicopters again).
Perhaps, but with the operating costs I imagine they’d entail compared to a number of smaller (new-build) hulls, would they be looked on favourably? Your idea of the mothership role would appear to very applicable in certain areas, but not sure a Bay operating in the Falklands would really be an effective use.
I never suggested using the Bays as Falklands patrol ships, however I see absolutely no reason why they can not be adapted to be very effective anti pirate/anti smuggling type vessels, the same kind of role that got the sailors kidnapped by the Iranians. Would they have much larger operating costs than smaller new build hulls when one takes into account the fact that they could theoretically be better at the role and execute more missions simultaneously?
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