Alas EJ, you are right.
Many people have forgotten that the Sea Harrier is the the defence of the whole fleet, not just the Sea Harrier. Leaving aside the arguments about power projection by airpower, how are naval forces expected to operate in hostile waters with no air defence. This was a subject I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread.
The enemy could win by picking off destroyers and frigates, or minehunters, or RFAs, or STUFT.