"the best protected assets against air attack anywhere in defence are those that are within sight of a T23 or T45. Fact."
Probably - although only for the first few engagements and only if the RoE are right. Would you voluntarily let somebody who you know to be a bit of a wrong 'un stand next to you with a sharp pointy thing? Or would you politely suggest that he keeps his distance? Much easier with DCA, less so with MEZ/SAM only.....