Wartime construction depends heavily on how long a conflict lasts. The Falklands War was far too short for a crash naval building program to affect the fighting. Even in the Second World War, early expectations of a short conflict led to some construction being delayed or suspended. A navy therefore begins a war with the force created by earlier peacetime budgets, design choices, and industrial decisions. Those prewar choices shape the opening campaign.
Chapter · 1:32-3:02
Wars begin with the fleet already available
A navy usually enters war with ships ordered and built before the crisis began.