This thesis examines the development of ‘small’ European navies in the period following the collapse of the Soviet Union until the present day. Its aims are to document the development of such navies in a period a significant change in global maritime affairs. It also investigates the utility of the term ‘small navy’, firstly, to establish whether size has a reliable impact on a navies behaviour and development, and secondly, to investigate if there is evidence to support the claim that small navies are possessed of distinct characteristics compared to their larger peers. This thesis examines these ideas through a series of case studies, including two major case studies: The Irish Naval Service and the Maltese Maritime Squadron. The development of these navies is examined in the period by investigating the development of their policy, assets and operational activities. This thesis also includes a number of secondary case studies of similar navies including the Royal Norwegian Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Croatian Navy, and the navies of the Baltic States. It also includes an analysis of the maritime frameworks of three major international organisations: The U.N., the E.U., and NATO. With the emphasis on multilateralism during this period in maritime affairs, it is relevant to explore the relationships the case studies have had with these bodies and the impact of them on their development. This thesis major findings are that while the term ‘small’, in relation to navies carries some utility in broadly estimating a navy’s displacement and capability for traditional naval operations; each navy represents a unique attempt at answering the nuanced requirements of its nation state. Furthermore, in relation to their larger peers, this thesis finds that the differences between the classes are best described as those of ‘scale’ rather than of qualitative ‘type’.