If Germany renewed the Reinsurance Treaty and joined Russia and Italy while still building a fleet, how would Britain respond?
Short answerBritain would build an enormous fleet, seek counter-alliances, reinforce India, and might consider preemption against a bloc threatening both its empire and naval hegemony.
NotesIn this counterfactual, Russia's pressure on India and Germany's challenge at sea make their alliance a severe British security threat. A vast naval construction programme is expected, with a pre-emptive attack raised as a possibility. British shipyards would receive enough orders to avoid the failures that occurred during the historical naval race. Britain could seek closer ties with Austria if it remained outside the bloc, while France might compensate for losing Russian support by extending its fortifications. The Indian Army could grow substantially, and a British African Army is raised as another possible response.