Jackie Fisher used flotillas to free the battle fleet

Fisher's approach differed from Jeune École. The French model made small craft the primary force intended to destroy or deter an enemy battle fleet, while Fisher built flotilla defense around mines, torpedo-boat destroyers, and submarines. Their role was to protect local waters and release the battle fleet for the places where imperial strategy needed it. The difference connects destroyer design to force allocation and global naval presence rather than to an expectation that inexpensive vessels could independently win a major war.