Britain's maritime tasks stretched from Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and the northern barrier to supporting Atlantic resupply. The fleet also had to provide special-forces support, an out-of-area capability, and the nuclear deterrent. Soviet submarine strength made anti-submarine warfare the pre-eminent mission, while bombers and missiles created a parallel air-defence requirement. This mission set explains why the Royal Navy still needed destroyers, carriers, submarines, amphibious lift, and their supporting forces rather than a fleet optimized for one task.
Chapter · 0:38-2:26
The Royal Navy's 1980s mission set
The opening mission list explains why the Royal Navy had to cover the northern flank, Atlantic reinforcement, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, special forces, and nuclear deterrence at once.