A Daring's temporary deployment in place of cruisers reflected availability and maintenance needs. The older cruisers were largely wartime ships requiring repair, refit, and heavy maintenance. A Daring could be the largest suitable ship available, and the class was intended to cover such duties in a crisis. That substitution did not demonstrate superior combat power. Facing two Sverdlovs would still call for British carrier support, with Victorious, Eagle, and Ark Royal among the carriers named.
Notable Point · 49:26-50:38
Why a Daring could fill a cruiser station without matching its firepower
Maintenance and availability explain a Daring's use on cruiser duties; a serious Sverdlov threat still required heavier support.