As a generalization, you can be flexible with ASW ship's size, but not with AAW ships.
ASW ships can range from small sub chasers, to large ASW destroyers. The Russian Medvedka ASROC system can be installed on any ships displacing 350+ tons. An ASW helicopter can drop sonar buoys to far distances. As an ASW ship, you can run off to chase subs.
But small ships cannot carry large SAMs. Any ship can carry light SAMs for point defense, but you need larger ships to carry heavy SAM's, and in sufficient numbers. Unlike ASW ships that can make do with 8 ASROC's and few dozen ASW rockets, an AAW ship needs a lot of missiles.
ASW ships can range from small sub chasers, to large ASW destroyers. The Russian Medvedka ASROC system can be installed on any ships displacing 350+ tons. An ASW helicopter can drop sonar buoys to far distances. As an ASW ship, you can run off to chase subs.
But small ships cannot carry large SAMs. Any ship can carry light SAMs for point defense, but you need larger ships to carry heavy SAM's, and in sufficient numbers. Unlike ASW ships that can make do with 8 ASROC's and few dozen ASW rockets, an AAW ship needs a lot of missiles.