The Falklands War is presented as a leading example of what happens when a supposedly capable navy has become operationally rusty. The Tanker War and Operation Praying Mantis offer comparisons. Smaller conflicts can expose maintenance, training, and readiness problems that peacetime appearances conceal. Combat performance depends on sustained institutional preparation as well as fleet size.
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Small wars expose neglected naval readiness
The Falklands War, Tanker War, and Operation Praying Mantis illustrate how limited conflicts can reveal whether a navy has remained a sharp operational instrument.