Light Cruiser

Used for merchant convoy escorts, long range raiding and reconnaissance, these warships can provide force protection as well as the ability to harass enemy merchant shipping. When attached to the main battle fleet, Light Cruisers perform screening duty with the Destroyers. Light Cruisers also provide that middle layer of defense for the Battleships and Dreadnoughts..

The best form of defense is attack.   Karl von Clausewitz