Q&A · 1:10:06-1:11:38

A more workable set of Washington Treaty limits

Higher unit limits could produce viable designs without abandoning arms control: about 40,000 tons for capital ships, 30,000 for carriers, and 20,000 for heavy cruisers.

Aircraft Carriers Battleships Force Structure Heavy Cruisers Ship Design Washington Naval Treaty

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Question

What treaty tonnage limits would have produced more practical warships?

Short answer

About 40,000 tons for capital ships, 30,000 for carriers, 20,000 for heavy cruisers, and 10,000 or less for smaller categories.

Notes

The proposed alternative pairs twenty capital ships for Britain and America with a 10:7 relationship for Japan. The larger categories give designers enough margin for balanced ships, while vessels below the heavy-cruiser tier remain under roughly 10,000 tons.