At the beginning of the last century, Sir Julian Corbett presented a theory of disputing command of the sea, of how an inferior actor might wage a defensive operation to deny its opponent control of the sea.
The dominant airpower theories are written for great powers and coalitions aiming for offensive warfare and air supremacy. Therefore, there is a challenge in explanatory factors why there are successful defensive air operations.
This study tests Corbett's theory in a case study of the British air power during the Falklands war.
In 1982, Britain is forced into a war with Argentina to reclaim the islands for British rule. Without NATO with limited air power and few tactical advantages, the British conduct a successful defensive air operation actively denying Argentina control of the air.
This study shows that Corbett's theory of disputing command has explanatory power in this case.