This book focuses on the naval policies and capabilities of the larger European naval powers--Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. For each of these states the author examines its maritime interests, the perceived threats to these interests, and the naval requirements derived from existing threat perceptions. The work then discusses current naval force postures and outlines their operational missions, capabilities, and deployments (including those associated with their membership in NATO). It assesses trends in naval policy and force planning and their implications for naval control.