Enemy Fleet in being

[uk 75]

For most of its history the Royal Navy has
been able to determine its capabilities by
comparing them with an enemy or potential enemy
fleet in being.
Today this is especially hard to do. Apart from the Russian Navy there are no real candidates. It is hard to see circumstances in which the UK would clash with the Chinese or Indian navies. Other navies could be sunk by a single Fleet Submarine.
So we are talking about Putin's fleet. Apart from one aircraft carrier its main strength lies in nuclear submarines. The US Navy retains an overwhelming lead in this capability so that our boats can rely on support.
The surface fleet is another matter. The QE and a few frigates are just targets for submarines or long range bombers.
Well that should start a bar room argument.

 

[Avimimus]

This ignores a scenario where the U.S. is the enemy (or the U.S. has broken up in a civil war). There really aren't happy scenarios of course, but it is the type of thing military planners make contingencies for.

 

[uk 75]

Given that before WW 2 the US Navy was regarded as a possible enemy fleet in being, you may have a point.
Just as modern China was pretty unimaginable in the early 70s, the reverse process for the US seems impossible now
but combinations of natural and national catastrophes could lead to a failed US, with its weapons being divided up.
Canada might well ask the UK for support under these circumstances.