Treaty-era and Cold War assumptions encourage judging every hull against the most demanding primary-theater fight. Additional ships also create a wider sensor and presence network. An older vessel may provide a safe helicopter platform, detect small boats, or cover a secondary threat while a Type 45 or Arleigh Burke handles the hardest missile-defence task. Reserve value therefore includes the network and missions a hull supports, not only the weapons it carries individually.
Notable Point · 2:31:17-2:33:15
Reserve ships widen the fleet's sensor and presence network
An older ship can still add sensors, presence, and a helicopter platform even when newer destroyers carry the deepest defensive magazines.