Naval Defence Act 1889
| Act of Parliament | |
| Long title | An Act to make further provision for Naval Defence and defray the Expenses thereof. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 52 & 53 Vict. c. 8 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 31 May 1889 |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Naval Defence Act 1889 (52 & 53 Vict. c. 8) was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It received royal assent on 31 May 1889 and formally adopted the "two-power standard" and increased the United Kingdom's naval strength. The standard called for the Royal Navy to maintain a number of battleships at least equal to the combined strength of the next two largest navies in the world, which then were France and Russia. An extra £20 million over the following four years were provided for ten new battleships, thirty-eight new cruisers, eighteen new torpedo boats and four new fast gunboats.: 161 The two-power standard was maintained until disarmament began during the interwar period.