Type 22 Timeline
From Cold War design to final decommission — the full story of the Broadsword class (1972–2011).
1970–1974: Concept & Design
Early 1970s – Development begins for a NATO-focused ASW frigate to counter Soviet submarine threats.
1972–1973 – Formal design work begins on the Type 22 class.
1974 – Final design approved and first batch authorised.
1975–1982: Batch 1 (Broadsword Class)
| Ship | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Broadsword (F88) | 1975 | 1976 | 1979 |
| HMS Battleaxe (F89) | 1976 | 1977 | 1980 |
| HMS Brilliant (F90) | 1977 | 1978 | 1981 |
| HMS Brazen (F91) | 1978 | 1980 | 1982 |
- Designed primarily for ASW operations
- Introduced Sea Wolf SAM system
- Frontline NATO escorts during the Cold War
1982: Falklands War
Type 22 frigates played key escort roles. HMS Broadsword and HMS Brilliant deployed in combat operations.
1983–1989: Batch 2 (Boxer Class)
| Ship | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Boxer (F92) | 1979 | 1981 | 1983 |
| HMS Beaver (F93) | 1980 | 1982 | 1984 |
| HMS Brave (F94) | 1982 | 1983 | 1986 |
| HMS London (F95) | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 |
| HMS Sheffield (F96) | 1985 | 1986 | 1988 |
| HMS Coventry (F98) | 1986 | 1986 | 1988 |
- Increased size and displacement
- Improved sonar and command systems
- Enhanced task group leadership capability
1988–1993: Batch 3 (Cornwall Class)
| Ship | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Cornwall (F99) | 1988 | 1988 | 1989 |
| HMS Cumberland (F85) | 1988 | 1989 | 1992 |
| HMS Campbeltown (F86) | 1987–88 | 1989 | 1989 |
| HMS Chatham (F87) | 1989 | 1990 | 1993 |
- Improved multi-role capability
- Enhanced survivability
- Expanded aviation facilities
1990–2011: Final Service Years
- Shift to multi-role operations
- Gulf War and NATO deployments
- Gradual drawdown from mid-1990s
- Final decommission: HMS Cornwall (30 June 2011)
Type 22 Frigate Class Registry
| Ship | Pennant | Batch | Build Yard | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Broadsword | F88 | Batch 1 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Sold to Brazil – Greenhalgh (F46) |
| HMS Battleaxe | F89 | Batch 1 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Sold to Brazil – Rademaker (F49) |
| HMS Brilliant | F90 | Batch 1 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Sold to Brazil – Dodsworth (F47) |
| HMS Brazen | F91 | Batch 1 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Decommissioned (2008) – scrapped UK |
| HMS Boxer | F92 | Batch 2 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Decommissioned (1999) – scrapped UK |
| HMS Beaver | F93 | Batch 2 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Decommissioned (2001) – scrapped UK |
| HMS Brave | F94 | Batch 2 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Sold to Chile – Almirante Latorre (FFG-14) |
| HMS London | F95 | Batch 2 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Sold to Chile – Capitán Prat (FFG-11) |
| HMS Sheffield | F96 | Batch 2 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Decommissioned (2003) – scrapped UK |
| HMS Coventry | F98 | Batch 2 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Sold to Romania – Regele Ferdinand (F221) |
| HMS Cornwall | F99 | Batch 3 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Decommissioned (2011) – target/sunk 2013 |
| HMS Cumberland | F85 | Batch 3 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Sold to Chile – Almirante Williams (FF-19) |
| HMS Campbeltown | F86 | Batch 3 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Decommissioned (2011) – scrapped UK |
| HMS Chatham | F87 | Batch 3 | Yarrow Shipbuilders | Decommissioned (2011) – scrapped UK |
At a Glance
Design: early 1970s • First commissioned: 1979 • Ships built: 14 • Final decommission: 2011 • Service life: ~32 years
Timeline Overview
1972–74
Design Phase
Concept and ASW design development
1975–82
Batch 1
Broadsword class enters service
1982
Falklands War
Combat deployment
1983–89
Batch 2
Expanded and improved design
1988–93
Batch 3
Final and most capable ships
1990s
Global Ops
Gulf & NATO deployments
1995–2005
Drawdown
Fleet reductions begin
2011
Final Decommission
HMS Cornwall leaves service