The Indonesian Confrontation exposes the tension between a carrier's political value and its vulnerability in close quarters. A carrier is an unmistakable status symbol, but sending one through confined waters exposes a ship not intended to trade blows at short range. A battleship or modern armoured cruiser-like ship could provide a more credible presence when the task requires entering a high-risk area and absorbing possible damage. The best diplomatic platform depends on the risk needed to make the political signal believable.
Notable Point · 1:23:14-1:24:21
Why armoured ships can matter in high-risk diplomacy
A heavily protected surface ship can offer options when a crisis demands presence in waters too dangerous for a carrier.