BLUF
Calls to revive costly, heavily armoured warships ignore advances in modern warfare. Smaller, dispersed, and missile-based fleets now offer greater flexibility, resilience, and cost-effectiveness. The recent US Navy Zumwalt destroyer program proved gun systems impractical.Learning Outcomes
• Strategic Awareness: The article deepens understanding of how modern maritime operations prioritise flexibility and distributed capability over nostalgia-driven ship design.
• Technological Literacy: Highlights advances in missile and shipbuilding technologies that have replaced traditional heavy-armour concepts.
• Critical Thinking: Encourages analysis of emotional versus rational drivers in strategic decision-making and procurement.
