The catalogue described here places the roughly 12,000-ton MEKO A400 AMD under frigates, despite a displacement that prompts comparison with destroyers. Modern labels often follow primary combat orientation more than a strict tonnage boundary. Air-defence ships commonly receive the destroyer label, while anti-submarine ships are more often called frigates. Either type can be large and carry extensive computing and combat systems. The discussion favours calling the A400 a destroyer while acknowledging that a navy can choose its own designation.
Notable Point · 22:59-25:02
Frigate and destroyer labels often follow role rather than tonnage
The 12,000-ton MEKO A400's frigate label prompts a discussion of primary combat roles and national naming choices.