The NATO central front buys influence at a maritime opportunity cost

Duffy's qualified answer reflects NATO's political and military focus on Central Europe. A substantial British contribution there secured influence at the alliance table. Britain maintained a large army commitment despite its maritime strengths and limited resources, leaving less money for naval modernization and other defence tasks. The later Nott Review confronted the same trade-off. The logic also informs the modern Atlantic-Pacific comparison: presence in an ally's focus area carries more influence than useful work performed elsewhere.