A warship on a presence mission needs to be noticed. A peacetime deployment intended to shape perceptions gains little if the ship blends into the background. Earlier deployments used white paint, while Cold War practice emphasized warfighting camouflage. HMS Dragon's bow emblem is a modern example of distinctive markings. Appearance can amplify a visit's diplomatic effect even though it adds no combat power.
Notable Point · 13:38-14:39
Warship appearance as a peacetime signal
Distinctive paint can make a peacetime visit more noticeable than a camouflage scheme chosen only for warfighting.