Deterrence and Denial

The U.S. Department of Defense defines a fleet in being as “a fleet or force that avoids decisive action, but because of its strength and location, causes or necessitates counter-concentrations and so reduces the number of opposing units available for operations elsewhere.” This illuminating work makes clear that fleet-in-being strategies have been highly consequential throughout history. Given the correct geography and platforms, both large and small navies have employed fleet-in-being strategi