The phrase World War I naval arms race most often refers to the Anglo-German dreadnought race that is often cited as a factor in kindling the war. It can also refer to at least three other naval arms races that occurred around the same period:
Anglo–German naval arms race South American dreadnought race, pre-war Amero–Japanese naval arms race, both before and after the war Greco–Ottoman dreadnought race, pre-war