UCV support carrier to be developed

The DDS have announced a 630 million zark project to develop and build 3 UCV support carriers which will support major deployments with Ferret-E and have specialized maintenance facilities over and above what the Missileer already provides. The rationale is that these ships will be able to reduce the strain on Missileers and allow "off-line" repairs to take place away from the battle but still in theatre.

The as-yet unnamed Type 23A carriers will be based on the Friendship/Thames platform. Unlike the Missileer 21A carriers the Type 23As will not have any other role though as they will be based on transport ships they will be able to carry cargo if needs be.