Cavagnari concentrated Italian naval investment on battleships and submarines. Both types had an understandable appeal, but the third Littorio-class battleship was less valuable than a carrier and additional destroyers would have been. Cavagnari did not see carrier aviation as necessary even though Italy had unused treaty allowances. The choice illustrates how building individually impressive ships can still leave a fleet without the reconnaissance, fighter cover, and escort strength it needs.
Notable Point · 1:27:29-1:28:32
Cavagnari built an Italian fleet around two ship types
Cavagnari's preference for battleships and submarines consumed resources that could have produced a carrier, more destroyers, and a more useful balanced force.