Paper strength is only the starting point for measuring a navy. A force fights with ships that are operational rather than in refit and with personnel sufficiently worked up to use them. A particular battle then depends on which portion of that ready force is actually in the relevant area. The distinction connects fleet lists to maintenance, training, deployment, and force generation instead of assuming every listed unit is immediately usable.
Notable Point · 38:33-39:07
Wars use operational ships and worked-up crews
Fleet lists matter only after accounting for ships out of refit, crews ready for operations, and the forces actually present where a battle occurs.