Attempts to economize at the start of the dreadnought era explain part of Britain's later alarm in this counterfactual. Four annual capital-ship orders would have established an early numerical lead. Germany could still pursue its programme while remaining too far behind to cause the same fear of an approaching challenge. Continued German construction would therefore not force the same British emergency acceleration to an eight-ship programme. Germany concentrated expenditure on dreadnoughts while Britain could also build other types. Consequences for diplomacy and the approach to the First World War remain counterfactual.
Notable Point · 1:20:20-1:25:33
Could steady British orders have reduced naval-race alarm?
Continuing to order four capital ships annually is proposed as a way to keep Germany farther behind.