A single B-2 can force a defender to plan for the bomber's capabilities because an unprepared force may be overmatched whether one aircraft or fifteen appear. The same logic applies to surface raiders. The Deutschland-class ships were poor cruisers in several respects, yet their existence meant other navies had to plan for their use against commerce. A tactically compromised ship could still impose escort and search burdens on an opponent.
Notable Point · 1:42:35-1:43:39
Deutschland-class raiders as a planning problem
The Deutschland-class example shows how even flawed cruisers could force opponents to plan against surface-raider risk.