The 15-inch gun formed part of a British strategic plan as well as a technical improvement. Britain sought a qualitative advantage over the United States, Japan, and Italy while maintaining quantitative pressure on Germany. Matching the British standard would force German naval advocates to seek money that the army also needed. Because the German army held political priority, a sufficiently expensive naval response could help push the Imperial German Navy out of the race.
Notable Point · 11:44-12:45
The 15-inch gun applied strategic pressure beyond the shipyard
Britain's rapid move to the 15-inch gun served both a qualitative race with other navies and a financial contest intended to intensify Germany's army-versus-navy choices.