Minimum.

1. Defend the waters around the UK against all comers.

2. Protect commerce going into and leaving the Western Approaches.

3. Project power against a medium sized aggressor through out the Earth.

4. Defend overseas holdings.

5. Fight central strategic war.

 

That means ypu need an OFFENSIVE blue water fleet.

 

Minimums are

-at least the ability to lift two brigades for expeditionary warfare.

-deploy a carrier task force in theatre as part of a coalition fleet; or take independent action with two task forces.  

-the ability to defend at least two convoys coming and going into British waters.

-the ability to submarine blockade an adversary independent of any allies.

-the ability to conduct mine warfare.

 

Design the RN accordingly.

 

Three carriers, nine aviation defense ships, at least twice that many anti-submarine warfare ships, at least twelve-preferably twenty mine warfare ships [There's your show the flag gunboats for you gunboat fanboys.] 

 

You need at least eight-preferably twelve submarines of all types to conduct offensive sea denial missions.

 

Learn mine warfare with a vengeance.

 

And equip with enough aircraft and helos to outfit all ships and frigates 100% with a 33% reswerve.

 

Don't forget enough amphibious lift as well as replenishment ships for all the teeth arms you build.

 

And don't  forget to build yourselves a British replacement for the Tornado IDS in sufficient numbers to augment your Sparkies. The Typhoon needs a range extension and an anti-shipping weapons fit.

 

Herald