Flotilla

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A flotilla (from Spanish, meaning a small flota (fleet) of ships), or naval flotilla, is a formation of small warships that may be part of a larger fleet. A flotilla is usually composed of a homogeneous group of the same class of warship. Groups of larger warships are usually called squadrons, but similar units of non-capital ships may be called squadrons in some instances, and flotillas in others. Formations including more than one capital ship, typically alongside smaller ships and support craft, are typically called fleets, each portion led by a capital ship being a squadron or task force.

A flotilla is usually commanded by an admiral, a commodore or a captain, depending on the importance of the command. A naval flotilla has no direct equivalent on land, but is, perhaps, the rough equivalent in tactical value of a brigade or regiment.

Non-military usage[edit | edit source]

The word flotilla has also been used at times to refer to a small fleet of vessels, commercial or otherwise.

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