Boffin - the reason it was on the RN is because that 's what the original article was on. I take your points about an "endorsed requirement" but I think Cope's point was that they are necessary (or at least good to have) and that in the case of the T45 cruise missiles there were statements that extra missile systems would (or perhaps could) be fitted later. He also was in favour of buying a couple more "bay" class and patrol boats and... but I thought it was getting a bit OTT
The problem with "British Warships & Auxiliaries" is that the writers only see the world through naval eyes - but it's a useful source and the article was a reasonable summary of issues affecting one branch of the services. I agree it would be easy to do the same for every other one as well - but I haven't seen a recent succinct summary in any "popular" source.