Converting a Bay-class ship and creating a forward-deployed littoral force offered rapid special-operations and raiding options. That capability differs from theatre entry or moving a brigade to reinforce Norway, which require greater amphibious lift and force mass. San Carlos Bay provided terrain that complicated Argentine Exocet attacks by limiting access and targeting. Modern missiles still require an enemy to locate the force and obtain a usable target lock. Terrain also created radar clutter for British ships in 1982, and the assessment credits lessons from the Falklands with improving later inshore operations. Better survivability cannot substitute for enough troops and shipping to perform the mission.
Notable Point · 2:51:35-2:53:33
Littoral response groups versus amphibious mass
The 2021 littoral concept supports raids but cannot replace the shipping and mass needed to land a brigade in a contested theatre.