Småland carried the same Swedish defensive logic into the Cold War. A cruiser or larger force might overpower the destroyer, but the attacker would need enough strength to make the outcome certain. In confined coastal waters, even a successful exchange could sink vessels in channels and remove usable access routes. The defender could therefore gain from the geography while losing a ship. Route denial turns a small destroyer into a larger amphibious problem.
Notable Point · 7:13-8:00
Småland illustrates route denial in confined waters
The preserved destroyer Småland illustrates how a ship lost in combat could still close one of the scarce approaches into Sweden.