That has been argued since the Jeune École doctrine emerged in the 19th century, with first small and fast torpedo boats, and then submarines. It hasn't been pr

That has been argued since the Jeune École doctrine emerged in the 19th century, with first small and fast torpedo boats, and then submarines. It hasn't been proven right, with all big conflicts including sea faring nations since then having big surface ships playing a part at least blockading ( Russo-Japanese war, the World Wars, Korean war, Vietnam war, Gulf wars).