Iceland successfully defended its territorial waters and defeated the British Royal Navy through non-military tactics across three (some say four) major conflicts known as the Cod Wars between 1958 and 1976.

If Iceland were to do this today, the wreck of the Royal Navy would have not a fraction of the response capability they had decades ago.

This is a great example of two nations fighting a hybrid war that sees the weaker nation prevail.

“Once again, NATO stepped in. Iceland was threatening to leave for good, and these “friendly” naval battles risked getting out of hand. For the fourth and final time, Iceland asserted itself, and the United Kingdom caved. The Cod Wars were over. There had been just two casualties: a British fisherman, from Grimsby, who had been hit by a hawser (towing cable), and an Icelandic engineer, who was accidentally electrocuted while repairing his hull.

The British economy may not have relied on cod as much as Iceland’s, but the effects were certainly felt. As Britain’s fisheries effectively closed, a depression settled over the country’s large northern fishing ports, such as Grimsby, Hull, and Fleetwood. Thousands of skilled fishermen, and those in related trades, including fish merchants and chip shop owners, lost their jobs. Meanwhile, Iceland’s 200-mile zone became the standard, curtailing foreign fishing all over the world.”

The Three Conflicts

First Cod War (1958–1961): Iceland extended its exclusive fishing zone from 4 to 12 nautical miles, leading Britain to deploy the Royal Navy before recognizing the 12-mile limit.

Second Cod War (1972–1973): Iceland pushed its fishery limits further out to 50 nautical miles, resulting in repeated ship collisions and net cutting.

Third Cod War (1975–1976): Iceland declared a full 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, severing diplomatic ties until Britain conceded and accepted the 200-mile limit.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-were-cod-wars