With the new update fighter missiles became quite effective and freighters lost the ability to mount them.

This is largely so due to the belief that freighters are and should be cargo transport vessels with extremely limited offensive capabilities, much like 5k transports, ignoring vanilla and even some info-cards. When the fact that freighters are seldom used because of their lacking combat potential is brought up, the usual answer is that the omnipotent turret steering and zoom counterbalance the well known drawbacks.

I personally disagree, perhaps along with many fellow community members. Although it cannot be denied that the undoubtedly praise-worthy features introduced in the last two versions greatly improved the chances freighters have. Unfortunately these features (in the case of this very specific ship class) were tepidly accepted.

Turret steering is quite awkward, not to mention the abomination that is the aimbot granted by zooming out.

I believe that freighters should lose the ability to zoom out and as a compensation receive better weaponry. In the case of 4.87 that would be missiles. Certainly there are other balancing options, many of which have been mentioned in this thread. Perhaps the dev team should use the opportunity that is beta test and try buff freighters' offensive capabilities.