Why naval guns and missiles are likely to coexist

Will navies ever settle the gun-versus-missile debate?

Probably not: missiles provide guided reach, while guns remain useful because their ammunition is generally cheaper.

Missiles remain valuable because they guide themselves to a target and deliver an explosive effect at range. Guns remain valuable because a shell can be much cheaper than a guided weapon. Both systems are therefore likely to persist. The exchange frames mixed armament as an economic and operational compromise rather than a contest that one technology must permanently win.