Q&A ยท 40:34-41:16

Which navies could maintain a global blue-water presence?

Separate worldwide presence from US-scale superpower coverage when assessing other navies' potential.

Question

Could navies beyond the United States and China sustain a global blue-water presence within a decade or two?

Short answer

Yes, depending on the scale intended. India is a candidate with much more funding, while Britain, France, Italy and Japan could also sustain wider global involvement.

Notes

A global naval presence can mean operating around the world without matching the United States' scale of simultaneous commitments. India's navy has substantial potential if it receives much greater funding. Britain, France, Italy and Japan are also candidates for a wider global presence. The required resources depend on whether the aim is worldwide involvement or the pervasive coverage associated with a superpower.