The American fleet remains technologically behind despite heavy investment because its standing is comparative. Other states may be spending more and extending their lead while the United States improves. Catching up requires progress faster than competing navies achieve. An absolute increase in research can therefore coincide with a widening relative gap. The exchange captures the logic of an arms race and explains why high expenditure alone cannot guarantee technological parity.
Notable Point · 2:18:05-2:18:18
Why heavy research spending can still leave a navy behind
Technological standing is relative: a navy can invest heavily and remain behind if its competitors are advancing even faster.