abstract:A combatant ship is a naval ship designed primarily to go "into harm's way.""I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go into harm's way.
In fact, SLCMs permit virtually every combatantship in the inventory to enjoy a crucial capability which once resided exclusively in the relatively small number of aircraft carriers: the ability to defend itself and to project naval power over great ranges by holding at risk enemy shipping and targets ashore.
Originally designed as a specialist anti-submarine ship, the Type 22 frigate evolved into a powerful surface combatant with substantial anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons systems.