How did Italian MTB operations and development affect other coastal forces?
Short answerItaly began the war with poor MTBs, then produced much better craft by adapting Schnellboot ideas; the Royal Navy responded operationally to the improved threat.
NotesItalian motor torpedo boats entered the Second World War as weak designs but became much more capable later. Much of the improvement came from adapting German Schnellboot concepts to Italian requirements. The improved threat forced the Royal Navy to devote destroyers and other effort to hunting the new boats. Italian torpedo-boat doctrine also included larger Spica-class vessels, so the category extended beyond small fast craft. Wartime design transfer changed both the weapon system and the enemy's operational response.