Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:01:41-1:02:52

A 45,000-ton Washington treaty limit

A 45,000-ton limit would accelerate replacement of older battleships and disadvantage navies entering the race late.

Alternate HistoryBattleshipsImperial Japanese NavyNaval Arms RaceWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

How would a 45,000-ton Washington treaty limit with the 5:5:3 ratio shape Japanese procurement?

Short answer

Japan would build new heavy ships and replace older battleships as the larger standard reshaped the whole race.

Notes

At 45,000 tons, navies can build fast battleships with roughly nine 16-inch guns. That combination of speed and firepower would make many 20,000- to 25,000-ton capital ships increasingly obsolete and push treaty fleets toward replacement. Japan would still receive construction tonnage under the 5:5:3 ratio, so the limit would not simply freeze its existing battle line. Later entrants starting without comparable ships would face a costly leap into a mature heavy-battleship standard.