Dutch leaders wanted guarantees that new forces would work and would actually be used, a demand that made advance preparation difficult. Deterrence costs less than war, but image alone cannot deter. Reputation can magnify real strength only when it rests on credible capability. Buying forces to discourage an attack therefore requires accepting that they might never fight.
Notable Point · 5:43-6:42
The capability behind naval deterrence
A navy's deterrent image depends on ships and capabilities that an opponent believes are real.