I'm going to go ahead and step into the frying pan here. I think you both are severely underestimating the potential of the Perry in DW. I disagree that it is a "lightweight" and that "it wouldn't even stand a chance against a Russian Trantul corvette." DW's Perry has been upgraded quite a bit from it's real-life counterpart...
The FFG's Mk-13 fires the SM-2, a supersonic missile that can attack anything that floats or flies. To be honest, most ships don't even get a chance to detect the missile before it hits them, and when you consider that it can be fired at large targets from more than 20 miles away, you should be able to remain safe from any naval gun (yes, even from an Udaloy-I's ridiculously long range 3.9-inch guns).
The CIWS can handle almost any threat (salvos of Silkworms to supersonic SS-N-19s), and can even stand up to a couple SS-N-27s. It's hardly the system you make it out to be. Oh, and did I mention it's automatic, so you can concentrate on using the SM-2?
Oh, it also carries TWO MH-60 helicopters, which you can use to engage sea, subsurface, and land targets, or use as an extended sensor platform all from more than 20 miles away.
The 3-inch gun is nothing to complain about, and it's 10 mile range is adequate. It's not likely that you'll hit a target from farther than that unless he enjoys making himself a target by driving in a straight line (hint, hint) for long periods of time.
Oh, and Kap, about that "ludicrous" idea of pitting a Perry against a Kirov, well Molon Labe had a video somewhere of him doing just that and winning without a scratch. Can't seem to find it, though...
