Japanese battleships were far less active than their British and American counterparts during much of the war, despite the prestige of the battle fleet since Tsushima. Building the Yamato class also consumed resources that could have supported other ships. Britain ordered King George V battleships and Illustrious carriers together, then paired Lion and Implacable orders. American battleship construction likewise continued alongside Hornet and the Essex carriers. Both navies valued battleships as an established means of controlling the sea while recognizing the greater striking range that aviation promised. Funding both capabilities spread the risk while carrier warfare was still developing.
Notable Point · 2:05:42-2:08:45
Why navies built battleships and carriers together
British and American construction programs supported battleships and carriers together while the wartime value of naval aviation was still developing.