I guess we can only go by our own experiences and perhaps learn by what history has told us. I vividly remember the Falklands war, in part because several friends participated - they were volunteers on board a ship I knew well - Canberra aka "The Great White Whale". Anyway, a significant event in that war was the sinking of the Belgrano by HMS Conqueror.
Neutrality is not an option imo.
Nuclear powered subs (not armed) give our navy a versatility that is essential.
