[CCIP]

I think it's a misconception that older destroyers had more firepower than modern ones. Technically, these automatic 5" guns can deliver more firepower than all the guns of an old Fletcher combined. Same goes for the air defense weapons. Even ignoring the improved accuracy, these things do put more metal in the air quicker.

And sure these ships are overkill for what they generally hunt. But there really isn't an alternative. You do want a ship that can both overwhelmingly outgun the pirates, and patrol a stretch of sea for weeks on end without a problem. Given the large area of ocean that needs to be covered, there's not really any other option besides sending the frigates and destroyers. Especially with the LCS program more or less stalled, there just isn't a smaller ship that would be actually effective in this role.

I'd like to see UAVs/USVs developed specifically for this kind of patrol role though. They could be a big help and save a lot of money, even if they can't outright replace manned patrols.