[Coming Soon] HMS Type 22: Britain's Heavy Artillery

Historical Note

Type 22 frigates were developed from the late 1960s as a new class of escort ships to replace the aging Leander-class frigates. Due to design bureaus being overloaded and attempts to create a universal Anglo-Dutch design, the development process dragged on – the first ship was only ordered in 1972 from Yarrow Shipbuilders. A total of 14 frigates were built, divided into three batches that significantly differed in displacement and armament.

The first batch (lead ship Broadsword) had a displacement of about 4,400 tons and specialized in anti-submarine warfare. It was armed with the Seawolf anti-air missile system and anti-submarine torpedoes. The second batch (Boxer) was enlarged to 4,800 tons to improve seaworthiness and equipped with more powerful engines. The third batch (Cornwall) became a true multipurpose ship with a displacement of about 5,300 tons, adding a 114 mm gun and Harpoon anti-ship missiles to its arsenal.

As part of the Royal Navy, these frigates proved themselves to be reliable and effective ships, often serving as flagships. However, after the end of the Cold War, their decommissioning and sale abroad began. Four ships from the first batch were sold to Brazil in the mid-1990s. Two ships from the second batch were acquired by Romania, and one by Chile. The last British Type 22 frigate, HMS Cornwall, was decommissioned in June 2011.

HMS Type 22 (Rank VI)

Brief Overview

• Strengths: high versatility – carries guided missiles, a main gun, and anti-aircraft autocannons.
• Weaknesses: low survivability, average handling.
• Role in battle: a flexible and versatile ship with excellent damage output, suitable for both solo and group play.

In battle

Following the recently introduced Type 21, the Type 22 now appears in the game. This British missile frigate was developed alongside its predecessor as a new type of escort ship for protecting naval task forces amidst the Royal Navy's shift away from aircraft carriers.

The Type 22's armament is no less interesting and diverse. The main striking power comes from guided missiles. In this case, it's armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles and fast Sea Wolf anti-air missiles, which can also engage surface targets. Secondary armament is represented by artillery: a 114 mm automatic cannon on the bow, and a 30 mm rapid-fire Oerlikon KCB autocannon, ready to engage any enemy aircraft that appears on the horizon.

The ship has virtually no armor and a limited crew. This makes the frigate extremely vulnerable in prolonged firefights. The presence of electronic warfare systems helps disrupt enemy attacks but doesn't eliminate the risk of sustaining critical damage. The Type 22's maneuverability is average, yet quite sufficient for active combat and seizing key positions.

In battle, the Type 22 will prove to be a versatile ship designed to deal high damage. The best way to utilize its potential is by firing from behind cover or under the protection of allies. This allows it to operate effectively both solo and in a group, avoiding direct engagements.

Premium version of the HMS Type 22 (Rank VI)

In the Ship Campaign, only one ship can be taken into battle. Because of this, the Premium version of any ship is not a separate unit, but it completely replaces the standard “gray” version. After obtaining the premium version, the blueprints for the standard version of the ship will disappear from the store and trophies, and the ship itself will become unavailable in trophies and jackpots.

Differences between the Premium and Standard versions:

• the ability to get gold after a battle, according to the daily limit;
• unique premium camouflage;
• fully unlocked upgrades in the Arsenal;
• the ship gets the maximum crew level immediately.

*Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still work in progress and may differ on release.

The HMS Type 22 (Rank VI) can be obtained in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) from Medium or Big Trophies in the Ship Campaign with the start of the new Season.