On balance, the intervention appears to have been worthwhile because it helped preserve Malaysia. Allowing Indonesian claims to stand could have strengthened a precedent of might making right that matters in later South China Sea disputes. Britain nevertheless incurred substantial expense and risked major forces in what could be viewed as a strategic sideshow. The decision balanced precedent and alliance credibility against escalation and opportunity cost.
Notable Point · 1:30:52-1:31:38
Was Confrontation worth the naval risk?
Intervention preserved Malaysia and resisted a dangerous precedent, but Britain accepted major cost and risk for a campaign that could be regarded as a sideshow.