Passenger aircraft can move troops quickly, but vehicles and heavy equipment still require sealift unless they were pre-positioned. A large roll-on/roll-off vehicle carrier such as Tønsberg can carry thousands of metres of vehicle lanes, while Icon of the Seas can accommodate 7,600 passengers and make 22 knots. Together, ships of those types could move a NATO brigade's personnel and vehicles. Moving the main body by sea also preserves transport aircraft for medical evacuation, replacements, spares, and other urgent tasks. Strategic lift therefore depends on combined air and sea capacity.
Chapter · 18:49-22:18
A brigade needs both troops and vehicles
Large cruise ships and vehicle carriers could move a brigade-scale force together while preserving scarce military airlift for other missions.