The proposal did not claim that a reconstructed Cavour would equal a new Dunkerque in every respect. Italian estimates put the rebuilt ship roughly ten to twenty percent below the French design in combat value. Reconstructing all four Cavour and Duilio class ships was estimated at about 600 million lire, divided across three annual allocations. The per-ship cost still left room in expected budgets to renew lesser warships. The navy minister steered the Admirals Committee toward Rotundi's design, and its favorable decision was unanimous even though he also submitted alternative uses for the money. This force-structure choice accepted somewhat lower unit capability to recover four battle-line ships without consuming the rest of the fleet programme.
Notable Point · 6:42-7:27
Reconstruction trades some combat power for fleet renewal
Italian estimates accept a modest combat-value shortfall against Dunkerque because rebuilding four ships fits the budget while leaving money for lesser warships.