A frigate does not automatically need SM-6 if its assigned job is adequately served by a large ESSM load. Thirty-two cells could carry 128 quad-packed ESSM. A mixed fleet-defence fit would require more cells: the example uses 48 cells for 32 Standard missiles and 64 ESSM. That mix improves the ship's contribution to wider air defence while reducing its stock of local defensive missiles. A heavily stocked ESSM ship can instead deal with threats that leak through in its sector, allowing other fleet assets to concentrate on the wider defence problem.
Notable Point · 3:25:37-3:27:14
ESSM magazine depth and SM-6 fleet defence serve different jobs
Comparing 32-cell and 48-cell loadouts shows the trade between local defensive endurance and contribution to wider fleet air defence.