The proposed Eastern Fleet stays within reinforcement limits

The proposed force mainly uses ships historically assigned to the Eastern Fleet or listed for emergency reassignment. Britain could not supply unlimited destroyer flotillas, and saving Prince of Wales and Repulse leaves more flexibility in capital ships than in some other categories. Two R-class battleships could provide bombardment support along the Malay Peninsula and remain available as backstops. That employment depends on other ships carrying enough of the burden of deterring Japanese access to the Indian Ocean. Preserving Force Z therefore changes what existing ships can do within a limited reinforcement package.