In this interpretation, expectations of choosing whether to fight a war encouraged governments to value the appearance of capability over ammunition for sustained combat. Earlier air-defence frigate planning treated 48 launch cells as sufficient, and that allowance survived the move to a destroyer. The distinction drawn here places a frigate under the screen as an escort, probably focused on anti-submarine warfare. A destroyer forms part of the screen and carries broader air-defence, land-attack and surface-security responsibilities. Retaining the same missile allowance despite those wider duties is the procurement decision being challenged.
Notable Point · 3:23:12-3:25:30
Frigate and destroyer expectations in Type 45 planning
A frigate-era missile allowance becomes questionable when a destroyer is expected to perform broader screening duties.