The Type 45 has turned out to be a bit of a lemon. Daring has only just returned after being laid up for 8 whole years to replace its failed propulsion equipment. In Summer 2021, Defender was the sole operational vessel, the rest laid up with failures. It has been a bit embarrassing.

One of the exacerbating issues is that it has a rather old-fashioned design paradigm, which means the whole ship is one integrated unit, rather than the modern style of modular design and build. This means it’s very involved to change one thing. To replace the poorly-conceived diesel generators, the ship had to be cut open and the whole electrical system redone.

The Astutes have barely been better. Construction has been troubled, and only Anson is in service. And that’s been sent to Australia to gladhand the Aussies. And as soon as another Astute becomes ready, Anson is to be brought in for refurbishment so the shortages continue. Motivation is low on these builds, as the Navy confirmed they’re dumping the Astutes as soon as the AUKUS vessels come in.

The Vanguards are immaterial to conventional warfare, but they haven’t been too hot either with more availability woes.

Both QE carriers are technically available, but PoW has a dicky starboard propeller shaft, and in any case, with over half the fleet out of action, there are too few vessels to form an adequate escort force so they won’t find themselves near a war.