Peer threats determine whether expensive capability looks necessary

The conclusion returns the ships to their Cold War political setting, where classification crises and visible status could influence procurement alongside technical capability. Nuclear cruisers cost more because they delivered a capability intended for peer conflict, although every maritime situation did not demand it. Once victory appeared to remove the peer threat, the same capability looked unnecessary and its operating cost became decisive. The broader lesson extends beyond warships: cutting investment after success may save money immediately while making future regeneration much harder.