Replacing older defensive systems with Sea Wolf required money for installation across the fleet. Immediate replacement would have demanded a much larger allocation than a program upgrading a few ships each year. National pride and the timing of development also enter the explanation. Some Leander-class frigates already carried Sea Wolf, showing that modernization was underway despite its uneven progress.
Notable Point · 20:56-21:24
Sea Wolf upgrades advance at the rate funding allows
Sea Wolf's gradual introduction reflects the cost and pace of fleet modernization.