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Type 21 frigate
Photo: U.S. Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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Type21frigate

Frigates · United Kingdom · 1974
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Type21frigate

Type 21 frigate
Type 21 frigate Photo: U.S. Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Anti-Surface Capability
65
Air Defence
50
ASW Capability
70
Sensors
60
Versatility
75
Endurance
70
Survivability
65
Aviation
40
Technology
55
Cost-Effectiveness
80
Origin United Kingdom
ManufacturerYarrow Shipbuilders Limited
CategoryFrigates
EraCold War
In service1974–1975
Operators2 countries
Quantity8
Data Quality85%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
63
Frigates MASS Rating
26/65
Cold War
86/245
All-Time
Frigates · 10 axes scored
Anti-Surface Capability
65
Air Defence
50
ASW Capability
70
Sensors
60
Versatility
75
Endurance
70
Survivability
65
Aviation
40
Technology
55
Cost-Effectiveness
80
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the frigates category.
01 / Overview
Type 21 frigate
Category
Production
1974–1975
Quantity
8
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
FRIGATES · COLD WAR
26
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
32
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
63
frigates category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the frigates category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎Identification8MOD.8
  • Hull ClassificationFrigate
  • Ship Typegeneral purpose escort
  • Builder / ShipyardYarrow Shipbuilders, Vosper Thornycroft
  • Laid Down1969
  • Launched1971
  • Commissioned1974
  • Ships in Class8
  • In ServiceYes
◈Displacement3MOD.3
  • Light Displacement2,750 t
  • Standard Displacement2,860 t
  • Full Load Displacement3,250 t
▣Dimensions4MOD.4
  • Length (overall)117 m
  • Length (waterline)110 m
  • Beam12.7 m
  • Draft5.8 m
◇Complement1MOD.1
  • Total Complement177
◆Propulsion8MOD.8
  • PropulsionCODOG
  • Arrangement (CODAG/COGAG…)COGOG with 2 Tyne cruise turbines and 2 Olympus boost turbines
  • Number of Engines4
  • Shaft Power58,500 kW
  • Shafts / Screws2
  • Top Speed32 kn
  • Cruise Speed18 kn
  • Range4,000
▤Gun Armament5MOD.5
  • Main Gun4.5 in (114 mm) Vickers Mark 8
  • Main Gun Calibre114 mm
  • Main Gun Count1
  • Secondary Guns20 mm Oerlikon (later 4)
  • CIWSVulcan Phalanx 20mm
⬢Missile Armament3MOD.3
  • Anti-Ship MissilesMM38 Exocet, Harpoon (Pakistani)
  • Surface-to-Air MissilesSeacat, LY-60N Hunting Eagle (Pakistani)
  • Land-Attack Cruise MissilesYes
▲Underwater Warfare3MOD.3
◎Aviation3MOD.3
◈Sensors & Combat Systems6MOD.6
  • Air-Search RadarType 992Q
  • Surface / Fire-Control RadarType 978
  • Phased-Array RadarNo
  • Combat SystemGWS-24 Sea Cat, STWS-1 torpedo launchers
  • Electronic WarfareYes
  • Decoy LaunchersKnebworth Corvus, TKWA/MASS (Pakistani)
▣Survivability3MOD.3
◇Fleet Status3MOD.3
  • Completed8
  • Lost2
  • Retired6
◆Armour1MOD.1
  • Armournone
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1974Production started
  2. 1975Production ended
  3. 1982First deployment: Falklands War
52
years in service
1
years in production
8
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries2country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE8terms
Anti-Submarine Warfare. Capability to detect, track, and engage submarines.
Automated Damage Control is a shipboard system that detects, assesses, and mitigates combat damage on aircraft carriers using sensors and software to enhance response speed and reduce crew workload.
Combined Diesel-electric and Gas propulsion system used in naval vessels, switching between diesel engines for low-speed cruising and gas turbines for high-speed operation.
Military action involving the use of electromagnetic spectrum to disrupt, deceive, or destroy enemy electronic systems.
The upper deck of an aircraft carrier, equipped for aircraft takeoff, landing, and maintenance operations.
Sonar system installed on the hull of a ship, used for underwater detection and navigation by emitting and receiving sound waves.
Cruise missiles designed to strike land targets from naval platforms, typically launched from ships or submarines.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Frigates entry →