abstract:Surface combatants (or Surface Ships or "Surface Vessels" ) are a subset of naval warships which are designed to engage in combat on the surface of the water, with their own weapons. They are generally ships built to fight other ships, submarines or aircraft, and can carry out several other missions including counter-narcotics operations and maritime interdiction.
Originally designed as a specialist anti-submarine ship, the Type 22 frigate evolved into a powerful surfacecombatant with substantial anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons systems.
Originally designed as a specialist anti-submarine ship, the Type 22 frigates evolved into a powerful surfacecombatant with substantial anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons systems.
So while there are some things a traditional surfacecombatant would have that the new warship lacks, there are many things it might one day do that current warships cannot.