Britain faced potential naval wars with Japan, Italy, and Germany, each requiring a different mix of forces. Planning solely around Germany would leave other active commitments inadequately covered. British and Japanese ships repeatedly confronted each other during the later 1930s, so a Pacific war was an immediate planning concern. These competing threats help explain the Royal Navy's effort to maintain a balanced fleet.
Notable Point · 4:32:01-4:32:33
Why the Royal Navy needed to prepare for three different opponents
German submarines were one planning problem among several; Japanese and Italian threats also shaped the British fleet.