Another factor that makes Codlog attractive is the steady improvement in diesel performance—including power from a given weight and volume. The diesels will most likely come from MTU, part-owned by Rolls-Royce.

Weapons will include MBDA's Sea Ceptor anti-air-warfare (AAW) missile, which (like the sonar) will be physically carried over from Type 23s. Sea Ceptor is being pushed ahead rapidly as a retrofit for the Dukes, because the missiles in the current Sea Wolf system are facing a hard life limit. The main AAW sensor will be the BAE Systems Artisan radar—already in service on some RN ships, and also to be retrofitted to the Type 23s and carried over to the new ships.

The RN has yet to select a gun for the Type 26, but Oto Melara's 127-mm./64-caliber lightweight gun is a likely choice because of features such as a high rate of fire, the ability to carry multiple types of ammunition that can be selected from one shot to the next, and the availability of the Vulcano extended-range and guided ammunition family.

No firm plans have been announced for anti-ship missiles, although the ship's embarked Merlin and Wildcat helicopters will carry MBDA Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon missiles for use against smaller craft.