Despite their attempt to hide the production of their fleet, the English knew of the production of Spain’s armada well in advance. The leak of information prompted Queen Elizabeth I to send Sir Francis Drake’s raiding party to Cadiz, delaying the launch. The delay ultimately frustrated King Philip II and hastened his deployment of the fleet. Ultimately, Spain lost the element of surprise, and the English waited for their arrival with the use of forward observers and spotters. Although it would be difficult to mask the mass production of over a hundred galleons, there could have been stronger methods of operations security and possible counterintelligence techniques implemented to conceal Spain’s intent. Additionally, had Spain implemented
