Why naval capability needs quantity and readiness

The 1980s Royal Navy debate begins with a basic force-planning distinction: clarity about what the service must do does not guarantee enough funded capacity to do it. A capability on paper has little value if too few ships, aircraft, crews, or stores are ready when a crisis begins. Operations may start before maintenance and exercises are complete. They can also last longer than the supplies set aside for them. Quantity, readiness, and sustainment are therefore part of the capability itself.