A Trincomalee-based Force Z could have become an ABDA core

Where should Force Z have been based if Britain retained four capital ships for the Far East?

Trincomalee and Ceylon offered more strategic routes than Singapore and could support a larger ABDA force with cruisers, destroyers, staff facilities, and a carrier.

Trincomalee would let Admiral Phillips move toward Singapore, Australia, or through the archipelago instead of beginning inside a strategic cul-de-sac. A concentrated capital-ship, cruiser, destroyer, and carrier force could then form a credible ABDA command with the staff and communications needed for joint action. Basing and command arrangements can matter as much as the individual ships sent east.