Q&A · 46:42-47:45

Warspite in a longer Pacific war

A Warspite question asks what happens to the old battleship if the Second World War continues for another three years.

Question

If the war lasted another three years, what would happen to Warspite?

Short answer

Warspite would probably be out of service while new battleships and carriers drew the late-war investment.

Notes

Warspite would probably leave service rather than receive a major late-war transformation. A war extended by three years would shift investment toward new Lion-class battleships, Malta-class carriers and possible successors, and perhaps American Montana-class battleships. The British strategy imagined here is a prolonged maritime blockade of Japan rather than an immediate invasion. Fresh hulls and carrier capacity would therefore take priority over keeping an exhausted veteran in front-line use.