Britain wanted a missile cruiser but could not spare its existing cruisers for conversion or experimentation. Building a new cruiser around an unproven weapon would have committed too much money and capability before Sea Slug was understood. Planners therefore asked for a destroyer prestigious enough to cover some cruiser duties and useful enough to fight even if its missiles underperformed. That combination of caution and continuity leads directly into the County class. Opening at this point gives the clearest statement of the procurement compromise behind the design.
Notable Point · 12:18-12:55
Why a missile destroyer came before a missile cruiser
Britain kept its ageing cruisers in service and delayed a missile cruiser until the weapons were proven, creating a destroyer requirement that retained guns and cruiser status.