Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 36:22-37:48

Would more submarines force greater ASW spending?

A larger submarine threat might redirect naval budgets toward anti-submarine warfare, but spending alone would not guarantee effective doctrine or deployable equipment.

Anti-Submarine WarfareJapanese NavyRoyal NavySonarSubmarines
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Question

Would larger interwar submarine fleets have forced other countries to spend more on anti-submarine warfare?

Short answer

They might, but greater spending would not guarantee effective equipment or the industrial capacity to deploy it.

Notes

More submarines could have prompted other navies to invest more heavily in anti-submarine warfare. Britain already spent more than its peers in this field and still struggled because the contest depended on technology, tactics, trained operators, and the submariners' own adaptation. Japan drew confidence from its First World War experience and recognized its later deficiencies too late for its industrial infrastructure to respond adequately. Greater expenditure alone could not settle that continuing contest. Money directed toward ASW would also have been unavailable for other naval capabilities.