WesWorld

Bharat uses sloops for two primary functions: Escorting naval auxiliaries, including oilers and amphibs, and escorting civilian traffic, probably in convoys.

The merchant traffic has four primary destinations, in approximate order of importance:

-SAE to the SW. In wartime, we'd expect some SAE assistance in convoys.
-Persia to the NW (lessening with oil shipments via Baluchistan). In wartime, we'd expect modest Persian assistance in convoys.
-Friendly markets (China, Japan, Chosen) to the E
-Friendly markets (...whatever they may be) in Europe, plus Hedjaz.

Bharat's current sloop inventory is:

-22 Kudligi-style general-purpose sloops, ~1,000 t light
-6 related sloops configured for specialist scouting and survey duties
-10 Rabkavi-style coastal sloops, ~450 t light

I have in mind that more sloops would be useful, but am undecided on how to proceed. Additional 450 t boats would be adequate for additional coastal protection, and can be produced quickly, but are unsuitable for oceanic work. The larger sloops are obviously more useful for all purposes, but can't be produced in the same kind of numbers or as quickly.

Should I try to produce both, or concentrate on one type over the other - and if so, which would you go for?



Note: It is possible-to-likely that smaller cruisers (Trincomalee, Patna) and the two seaplane carriers would participate in convoy defence functions. There are six oceanic and sixteen coastal minesweepers which could be pressed into service, if they're not engaged in their original jobs, and if their ASW suites are updated...

Given the structure of our rules, it will take nearly as much time to construct a 1,000 ton escort as a 500 ton escort, while only an escort of 499 tons or less could be constructed "quickly" - and a vessel of such small size has limited ability to perform adequately on an oceanic scale.

That said, I would aim for an escort between 800 to 1,000 tons, depending on the speed, radius and armament characteristics you desire. A 1,000 ton escort can be constructed in 300 days plus 180 for workup; an 800 ton ship in 294 days.

Given the forecast of the employment of your merchant marine, I do have to wonder about the potential threats your it would face? A starting point to determine the number of escorts required would be the likelihood of their facing submarine or aircraft threats. The expected number of escorted convoys you would expect to run would determine how many escort you would need.

I'm not sure the design of the sloop matters all that much at the combat level; given your anticipated missions, seakeeping and range at economical speed will be your critical factors. So I'd build something around 1,000 tons normal with 1-2 100mm-125mm guns, an ASW loadout, and a range of 8500nm @ 12 knots.

By and large, I think the main threat would be submarines, followed by land-based air (Persia and Hedjaz routes). I recognize there's a risk of carrier-air or surface action at all times, but those are less likely issues I'd let the BNS capital units deal with (...ideally).

In terms of convoy numbers - an excellent question. I'd be thinking a minimum of five (2 to/fro SAE, 1 for each other route), plus escorts for the various fleet train elements in play. At a minimum of four sloops per escort group, I'm looking at 20 convoy escorts plus the fleet train shepards. Ideally, more for improved protection, additional tasks, and offsetting attrition.