Torpedoes are an offset capability rather than a magical substitute for a balanced warship. A cruiser with torpedoes can still threaten a battleship, forcing the stronger side to account for range, manoeuvre, and the chance of a disabling hit. This logic shaped British cruiser employment and Japanese planning against a numerically superior American fleet. Modern navies likewise need affordable offset weapons that improve a platform's practical threat without pretending to make it an all-purpose equal.
Notable Point · 16:45-18:25
Torpedoes as an offset weapon
Torpedoes do not make a weaker ship equal to a stronger one, but they can impose a threat that changes an opponent's calculations.