[Coming Soon] HMS Type 21: History and Tactics

Historical Note

Developed for the Royal Navy in the late 1960s, the Type 21 Amazon-class frigate was intended as a more affordable alternative to larger warship programs that were ultimately cancelled. Designed through a collaboration between the Vosper Thornycroft and Yarrow shipyards, eight vessels were built and entered service during the 1970s. Although the class was praised for good seakeeping and relatively comfortable crew accommodations, it also suffered from serious shortcomings. Extensive use of aluminium in the superstructure, intended to reduce weight, limited the potential for future upgrades and raised concerns about survivability. These weaknesses were tragically highlighted during the Falklands War, in which six of the eight ships took part in combat.

Two of the frigates, HMS Ardent and HMS Antelope, were lost to attacks by Argentine aircraft. By the 1990s, all remaining Type 21 frigates had been retired from Royal Navy service and subsequently sold to the Pakistan Navy, where they continued their service under new names.

HMS Type 21 (Rank VI)

Brief Analysis

• Strengths: Equipped with Exocet and Sea Cat guided missiles, a 114 mm main gun, torpedoes, and decoy and chaff launchers.
• Weaknesses: Low survivability and limited overall protection.
• Opportunities: Serves as a versatile missile-armed frigate with a well-rounded and diverse weapons suite.

In battle

Top-rank commanders in War Thunder Mobile, prepare for action. The British missile frigate HMS Type 21 is entering the fray, combining strong firepower with high adaptability to become a formidable opponent in any combat scenario.

The Type 21’s primary strike capability comes from its Exocet anti-ship missiles, which can inflict significant damage on enemy vessels. This armament is supplemented by Sea Cat surface-to-air missiles, which sacrifice explosive payload for higher speed to counter aerial threats.

For close-quarters combat, the frigate is equipped with two triple-tube torpedo launchers and a 114 mm gun mounted on the foredeck.

This varied arsenal makes the HMS Type 21 a highly versatile ship. However, its mobility is only moderate. It is not designed for high-speed raids, and its top speed and survivability limit its effectiveness in lone-wolf operations.

The optimal tactic is to coordinate with your team. When operating as part of a group, the HMS Type 21 can fully unleash its firepower while remaining protected from sudden, concentrated attacks.

Premium version of the HMS Type 21 (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 21 (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.