Look, I know I'm a little late to the party, but I'm currently reading Hugh White's "How to defend Australia" and I've been reminded of the 'balanced force' vs. (let's call it) 'focused force' arguments. (1/x)

While I appreciate that just because something's uncommon that doesn't mean it's wrong, but I am genuinely curious: are there any examples out there of an intentionally focused force; and/or one that retains any credible strategic weight? (2/x)

I can think of examples where some capabilities and roles have been retrenched (NZ and combat air power being the classic one in our part of the world), but then the Kiwis haven't exactly gone 'full focused force' either (their FFHs and LAVs jump to mind). (3/x)

Of course this is all well and good when you're NZ. Fair play to them; they really won the 'peaceful geography' lottery, so investing in health, education etc. is more important than some F-16s. This is why I say a focused force *that retains any credible strategic weight*. (4/x)

It's much easier to 'focus' your force structure when you face no threats; a point which HTDA readily acknowledges, but still makes me think how applicable a concept it is for larger states (or at least taken to its fullest logical extent). (5/x)

Ultimately, strategy isn't theoretical; it's practical and political, which means it will always have these kinds of logical inconsistencies. Look, I'm sympathetic to the rationale. The logic speaks to me, however my overall reaction is more of a "yes, but..." (6/x)

I can't help but think that there are enough states out there grappling with the same logic(s) of strategy and force structure but have ultimately fallen on the side of 'balanced' for one reason or another. (7/x)

Are we all missing something, or is the 'focused' force just an intellectual pipe dream that fits the mould of what we *should* do in an ideal world? Which middle/large powers have actually done it successfully? (8/x)

I certainly think there's space to be *more* focused when it comes to strategic and force structure decisions, but I remain a little unconvinced of the applicability of the model. (9/x)

That said, it's another great example of what I think is Hugh's biggest strength: calm, logical, systematic arguments that make you think (and feel a little uncomfortable). Australia's resident 'strategist provocateur'. (10/x)

TL;DR are there any current examples of states that have opted for a focused (cf. balanced) force structure and retained credible strategic weight? (11/11)

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