How Britain and France might answer a 16-gun Hawkins

How would Britain and France respond if Hawkins-class cruisers carried sixteen 8-inch guns in four quadruple turrets?

Britain would likely accelerate larger-gun cruisers; France would face tighter shipyard limits even if it wanted more powerful counter-designs.

Britain could accelerate a 9.2-inch cruiser concept to counter an opponent carrying sixteen 8-inch guns. France might prefer more Dunkerque-type strength, a larger 17,500-ton design, or an improved Algérie with protection against 8-inch fire. Its dockyards were already heavily committed, however, so desire would not translate automatically into more ships. Industrial capacity and available building space would determine whether either navy could turn a counter-design into an effective arms-race response.