Naval deterrence is divided into presence, meaning a force can reach and remain in a theater, and capability, its theoretical strength on paper. A schematic example gives a British battleship a twelve-gun broadside against an opponent's eight. Two British ships would therefore equal the broadside count of three opponents, while Britain's greater construction capacity would widen the advantage. Six such British ships would fire 72 shells in a broadside against 16 from two opposing ships. Britain could also absorb a loss more readily because five ships would remain. The comparison isolates broadside weight, fleet size, and replacement capacity to show how those advantages can influence an opponent before battle.
Notable Point · 36:43-38:08
Presence, capability, and broadside superiority
Deterrence is divided into visible presence and paper capability, illustrated by a hypothetical British advantage in broadside weight and replacement capacity.