A raid could matter even if few torpedoes hit. Aircraft reaching ships inside a supposedly safe harbor would force navies to reassess their own bases. They would have to examine whether their ships faced the same exposure to aerial attack. The same shock would make carriers and naval aircraft easier to fund because combat had shown their reach. A tactically disappointing attack could still change doctrine and procurement.
Notable Point · 1:15:45-1:17:00
Even a failed raid transforms harbor defense
The ability to reach warships in harbor would push navies to rethink base protection and fund naval aviation more heavily.