Deterrence and Denial

About this item

The U.S. Department of Defense defines a fleet in being as "a fleet or force that avoids decisive action, but because of its strength and location, causes or necessitates counter-concentrations and so reduces the number of opposing units available for operations elsewhere." This illuminating work makes clear that fleet-in-being strategies have been highly consequential throughout history. Given the correct geography and platforms, both large and small navies have employed fleet-in-being strategies to great operational and strategic advantage. The case studies in this book will show how, when, and why. Naval analysts generally emphasize offensive naval missions: blockades, raids, expeditionary warfare, and fleet-on-fleet engagements. Most of these actions concern positive operational objectives: shutting down traffic, cutting trade, launching an invasion, or sinking an enemy fleet. Deterrence and Denial brings together leading experts to examine an essential yet often