Britain watched a worldwide wave of naval expansion

France and Russia were the second- and third-ranked naval powers, but they were not Britain's only concern. The United States was beginning the development that would culminate in the Great White Fleet, while Japan was building sea power after the shock of Commodore Perry's arrival. Japan's first battleship would be a captured Chinese ship, illustrating how a rising navy could acquire capability as well as build it. Germany, Italy, Spain, South American states, and Asian powers also contributed to a competitive shipbuilding environment. Several states bought ships abroad, so British planners had to watch international yards as well as domestic naval programs. Industrial trends and likely future construction mattered alongside current fleet lists.