France's force limits made British support necessary if it faced Italy and Germany at the same time. The same dependence extended to Asia, where Japan was permitted a substantially larger navy than France. Britain would also be needed to deter or counter a Japanese move against French imperial possessions. Alliance cooperation was a practical answer to the mismatch between France's fleet and its dispersed commitments.
Notable Point · 24:26-24:47
British support was essential against simultaneous threats
France relied on Britain if Italy and Germany acted together and if Japan threatened an Asian empire that France's smaller treaty fleet could not defend alone.