A smaller fleet does not automatically remove senior command work. Britain still fills posts in allied command structures, while major warship programs place officers in charge of decisions worth hundreds of millions or billions of pounds. One argument for sufficiently senior, well-paid oversight is that it reduces vulnerability to outside influence and retains knowledge the service would otherwise lose. These functions explain why headquarters numbers cannot be judged from hull counts alone.
Notable Point · 1:47:43-1:48:39
Why senior officers remain in a smaller force
Allied command posts, major procurement programs, and the retention of scarce expertise help explain why a smaller service may still need senior officers.