Introduction Scope of the study Problems of analysis Arms racing in perspective Cooperation not conflict? Chapter One Naval modernisation, action-reaction dynamics and their drivers Patterns of acquisition Drivers of naval acquisition: external or internal? One race or many? Measuring intensity Levels of political tension Perceptions of racing Measuring intent Chapter Two Sea control Conceptual approaches to sea control Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) Air-Sea Battle Sea-control forces Sea-control operations Chapter Three Traditional missions Deterrence Nuclear deterrent forces Deterrent operations Ballistic-missile defence BMD capabilities BMD operations Maritime power-projection Gunboat diplomacy: competitive naval diplomacy Gunboat diplomacy thinking Gunboat diplomacy operations Chapter Four Non-traditional missions Expeditionary operations Stability operations/HADR Maritime security at home and abroad Cooperative naval diplomacy Conclusion Remaking the regional order Conclusions Looking to the future Appendix.