Broadsword (Type 22)

The Type 22 Broadsword class emerged from Royal Navy surface-fleet planning after the cancellation of the CVA-01 carrier programme and changing escort requirements. It was developed primarily as an anti-submarine frigate for Cold War operations, but the class grew in size and capability through successive batches. The lead ship, HMS Broadsword, gave the class its common name.

Early Type 22 ships emphasized anti-submarine sensors, helicopter operations, and missile self-defence, while later batches became larger and more heavily armed. The class illustrates the rising cost and complexity of modern frigates: each batch added capability as operational experience and threat expectations changed. Helicopter operations were central to its anti-submarine role.

Type 22 frigates served through the Falklands War period and later Royal Navy deployments, with some ships eventually transferred to foreign navies. The class's combat and peacetime record highlighted the importance of layered defence, helicopter capability, and survivability in modern escort design. Its retirement closed a major chapter in late Cold War British frigate development.