Presence gives smaller navies a seat at the table

Regional and medium powers may matter enough to be affected by a crisis without being powerful enough to dictate its settlement. A ship already present gives them a voice that latent capability at home may not secure. The platform must be conspicuous and credible without exposing the country's entire fleet to one incident. That requirement favors a small number of high-quality ships able to make an impression when their deployments cannot be continuous. The American heavy-frigate case that follows shows how a smaller navy can buy status and raise the force an opponent must commit against it.