Missile Counties could push Type 82 into a cruiser role

If County-class ships had become full guided-missile cruisers, what would that mean for Type 82?

Type 82 would probably become a cruiser replacement for the Counties, while Type 42 filled the missile-destroyer role.

If the County class had been built as fuller guided-missile cruisers, possibly retaining 6-inch guns, Type 82 would likely evolve as their cruiser replacement rather than remain categorized as a destroyer. Type 42 would then occupy the missile-destroyer tier below it. One class's size and role can reshape the classification and mission of its successors.