The RN info page on the Type 23 does mention it (and has good video on it in fact). And having been on Lancaster last year I can confirm that the superstructure and hull are shaped with RCS in mind, though there is plenty of clutter on deck and the design can probably not be compared to the current generation. Reason can be derived from their main emphasis on ASW maybe and design capabilities in the 1980s.

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1530

Maybe the “living off” reasoning does apply if we’re talking having to wait for the state to cough up the funds the shipyard should be able to expect to be paid in a timely manner.

The Baynunah corvettes are about 600 tons, have substantial armaments and are more a grown up fast attack craft for use in Gulf area. Seakeeping, endurance etc would differ substantially compared to BAM. Cost is probably more as well, $130m+ per unit and up. Although still quite a big gap in displacement (and usable volume…) the MEKO 100 RMN patrol vessels/corvettes are probably more interesting comparison and can be retrofitted with RAM, Exocet and the like later. I do not see provision for such in the BAM sketches.

Argo, could you enlighten me as to which company is building the new patrol boats?

Also, in regards to the Korcula MHI: although the need for about 4 ships has been expressed is there actually a programme and funds available? Progress on the missile boats appears very slow also.
Although development is indigenous I am not so sure about the outfitting…have there been major changes? At the last count this was it: MTU diesels (Germany) 8V 183 TE62, two azimuth thrusters from Holland Roer Propeller/HRP (Netherlands), sonar from Reson (Denmark), sidescan sonar from Klein Associates (USA), ROV from Societe ECA (France), navigation radar from Kelvin Hughes (UK).

A while back 7seas posted a link to 3D rendered images of the K130 (and other vessels) provided by Thales. Gives a good impression of current K130 layout. The earlier designs looked like enlarged Lürssen MGB 62 (variants in service with Singapore, UAE, and Turkey > see Kilic on the website mentioned)

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showpost.php?p=860552&postcount=9

Didn’t mean to imply that the fuel-cell would produce oxygen, rather that substantial supply of oxygen is available for the fuel, though on second thoughts the idea that some of this may be “diverted” for life sustaining measures in the boat seems a little too ambitious.

Are there actually RN plans for replacements for the Type 23 (and remaining Type 22s)? Seems like it is a process of “consideration” at the moment. And part of that equation no doubt concerns the variety of pressures that derive from operational requirements, political and financial issues. Do we buy smaller numbers of expensive locally designed and built vessels that help to sustain local industry and knowledge base? Or, larger numbers of similarly capable but cheaper vessels available through participation in existing international programmes and thus reduce local industry design and build input? Or, let local industry adapt existing designs (with mixed success > LSD(A)) and risk not getting either the desired capability per ship or overall level of capability offered by the fleet?

Similar queries apply to the Future Lynx as well I guess. With sufficient numbers on order it might have been possible to get a British line for the NH90 going also. AgustaWestland has their fingers in both programmes in any case.

The Brunei OPVs/light frigates were built by BAE if I remember correctly. Brunei should have the cash to fund them, however it may have suddenly figured out that it is good idea to have sufficiently able crews and support facilities for their expensive new toys or go down the same route as the Nigerian Aradu MEKO.

Finally, the P28 is due for an ASW primary role is it not? So not much point to put BrahMos on these as well. Also, there have been all sorts of statements from Indian and Russian side on whether it will be indigenously designed. Some Russian design bureau claims involvement, Indian Admiral refutes and so on. It may or may not be under construction at this time also.