Napoleon's Egyptian expedition and its logistics trap

The proposed expedition sought an indirect way to damage Britain after a cross-Channel invasion proved impractical. An army moving through Egypt, Syria, or toward India would still need ammunition, uniforms, food, and maritime support. Reaching India would also mean confronting the East India Company's well-drilled and reliably paid forces rather than simply entering an undefended possession. The plan therefore rested on naval communications that France could not reliably protect.