Input?

[The Rock Doctor]

So I'm contemplating how to proceed with Ottoman naval forces over the next while.

From a research perspective, I plan to add $0.50 to $1.00 worth of capability each year, through the decade, so I'm going to be a bit behind for a few years.

Production-wise, I can make use of my full 9 BP - but this still constrains the size of my fleet.  Buying externally is, at best, a limited proposition, and I tend to prefer not to buy old surplus.  I don't really expect to expand my BP count until the 1910s.

I can compete in production terms with my Italian neighbour, and with the components of France and Russia in my neighbourhood.

But I have huge operating areas, with several chokepoints between them:  The Black Sea, the Adriatic, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and of course the Med/Aegean.

So what do you think - should I focus on:

A)  The standard balanced battlefleet (BB+AC/BC)

B)  Go for a modest fleet-in-being with one type of capital ship, and invest heavily in sea-denial stuff like subs and destroyers (the "New Swiss" approach)

C)  Wind down the battlefleet and focus on swarms of small torpedo-armed stuff?

[Desertfox]

I don't think C) is an option, it is too much of a risk. You do want some big stuff depending on the situation and for international standing.

If you go with B) you will want your fleet to be decently fast to be able to respond quickly to events. You will also be needing colonial cruisers capable of independant operations. Based on your geography, this would be my choice, but then again I am biased.

[Darman]

I would agree that I think B might be your best option.  Even if its only a small battleline of 4 ships total (obviously built over time) you could hold enough threat that another nation has to detail an equal or greater number of battleships to tie down your own.  With your own scattered and extensive array of ports you could always attempt a commerce-raiding strategy during a longer war as well.  Depends on the enemy I suppose. 

[Jefgte]

IMO, B is the better choice.

Battleline => 4 BB + 4AC (240mm gun)
Raider & scout => 10 to 12 CL
much & much TB, DD, & Sub

Jef  ;)

[Walter]

Looking at a few of the chokepoints, I would think that some heavy fortifications and a whole bunch of coast defense guns + mines could work well with option B. Enough mines so you can walk across the Red Sea. :)

[Darman]

so that's how Moses did it...

[Walter]

Seems unlikely as the Mine Warfare tech would not have been available to him....

[The Rock Doctor]

I'm not sure he was bound to follow our rules.

Appreciate the input so far.

Commerce warfare strikes me as being...not necessarily useful, at least outside the confines of the Med and Black Sea.  Within the Med, sub warfare and surface sweeps would probably be more effective than attempting to have raiders out in circulation 24/7.

It's not to say that there isn't a role for it, but if I'm fighting France or Britain, I've got bigger fish to fry than their sea trade - namely the large surface fleets they could direct my way.

I'm kind of leaning towards the "B" route as well, which is a type of navy I've not really done in a sim before.  Could be interesting.

[Desertfox]

You could hire the originator of the concept as a consultant, for a fee of course... :p

You do want a few raiders to tie up as many enemy resources outside the Med. But a few AMCs and older cruisers should be enough, maybe add a couple of lighter armored cruisers to the mix.

With B) you want good scouts and communications, and a fleet capable of deciding when and where it will fight.

[Darman]

As someone who has extensive sea lines of communications I think that a commerce-raiding campaign would definitely be a major distraction.  I've got 8 convoy routes mapped out right now and each route is going to require at least 4 units to protect it (one incoming and one outgoing convoy, each covered by 2 units).  I'm actually trying to determine if minimizing the number of units devoted to convoys and maximizing those on blockade duties would be more economical. 

[Darman]

Make that 15 convoy routes, if I had to protect all long-distance shipping lanes.  Assuming two convoys traveling each route at once (one inbound and one outbound), that is 60 units needed just to maintain a minimal amount of protection to convoys.  Leaving me with about 30 units for fleet screening duties. 

[The Rock Doctor]

These are light cruisers you're think in terms of?

[Darman]

These are light cruisers you're think in terms of?

yes.  Well, protected cruisers, scout cruisers, and light cruisers.  I wouldn't bother sending out armored cruisers with convoys unless they're headed that way anyways or there is a threat sufficient to require an armored cruiser or heavier escort. 

[snip]

there is a threat sufficient to require an armored cruiser or heavier escort.

*hides US battlefleet behind his back*

[The Rock Doctor]

"This is not the sufficient threat you are looking for..."