Missile trucks and replenishment at sea

Can missile trucks or replenishment at sea substitute for a very large missile load on Type 83?

Only with major escort and protection costs; the near-term practical answer is to give key warships more missile space.

Confidence in missile replenishment at sea depends on demonstrating that transferred weapons remain usable. The trials described here inspected missiles for transport damage without subsequently firing them, leaving their results open to question. Missile trucks also need protection: uncrewed or lightly protected reload ships remain exposed to submarines and other threats while returning to the force. Escorting them could require additional crewed frigates. Giving the ships expected to fight deeper magazines of their own is therefore presented as the simplest starting point.