The Royal Navy expected cruisers and submarines to protect the Far East until a battle fleet could arrive. After the war, surviving J-class boats were transferred to the Royal Australian Navy as part of that security concept. Cruisers would raid enemy trade and force an opponent to divert resources, while submarines made approaches to Australia dangerous. The two arms therefore divided offensive commerce warfare from defensive sea denial. The example connects fleet-submarine development to imperial maritime strategy rather than treating it only as a machinery problem.
Notable Point · 12:45-16:41
J-class submarines and Australia's 1919 defensive perimeter
The transfer of J-class submarines to Australia illustrates a strategy of using cruisers offensively and submarines to hold a defensive perimeter.