Cold War defence layers persist as fleet numbers decline. Fewer ships are expected to carry point-defence missiles, area-defence missiles, guns and close-in systems together. That concentration contributes to higher costs per ship. Each layer reduces the attackers reaching the next one. An attacker passing the combat air patrol must still face area and local defences, giving the ships further opportunities to respond.
Notable Point · 3:08:29-3:09:42
Smaller fleets and more defence systems on each ship
A shrinking fleet still needs every defence layer, concentrating more weapons and expense on the remaining ships.