Because WW2 showed now matter how armored the ship, planes will sink it eventually. By the end of the war radio guided bombs were blasting the crud out of things. Even Kamikaze showed the potential of guided missiles. Basically they realized you CAN’T put enough armor on. If you can’t shoot it down before it hits, you are screwed. So defense is offense now. Again.
Not exactly. The armored decks of British carriers stopped kamakazis. They got rid of armor because heavy guns went away. But stopping 20mm rounds, RPGs, and having an armored belt would negate the small craft threat. Excocet and Harpoon type ASCMs couldn’t penitrate 6” armor. The heavy Mach 2+ ASCMs are a different story, but they aren’t the coastal threat that is out there in most of the world.
Thanks - I have been emersed in war history and haven’t made it past WWI yet.