Minor powers and dominion fleet contributions

The major fleets' expansion would also affect states outside the six conference powers. The Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and China could all change their procurement calculations. Within the British Empire, Australia appears the most likely dominion to assume more of the naval burden, while Canadian and Indian choices are less certain. In India, the colonial government's institutional focus on the British Indian Army could continue to suppress naval investment despite the subcontinent's long coastline and dependence on seaborne trade. Heavy-cruiser construction would rarely justify a new yard for only one ship, so purchases from established British yards remain more plausible than immediate industrial independence. Destroyers, sloops, and other smaller escorts offer a more realistic path for local construction and burden sharing. Larger treaty fleets would therefore shape regional navies and local shipbuilding policy as well.