The quality of a Soviet paper design was separate from the consequences of building it. Some proposals appear to have been poor warships on their own terms. A single Soviet battleship, battlecruiser, or major cruiser could nevertheless trigger a much larger Anglo-American reaction. Procurement effects include the force structure and spending imposed on an opponent as well as the ship's likely combat performance.
Notable Point · 43:47-44:27
Why bad Soviet paper warships could still matter
A design could be tactically poor yet strategically important if building it forced Britain and the United States to respond.