Rapid armour installation and gun changes require cranes, warehouses, and stores in the right places. Navies with worldwide facilities would begin with an advantage. Others would need to build the supporting infrastructure before the conversion schemes became practical. Merchant handling facilities and dry docks could also serve warships. Subsidies or reduced taxes could encourage civilian construction of facilities useful to naval mobilization.
Notable Point · 52:11-53:41
Dockyard investment makes rapid refitting possible
Stored weapons and armour become useful only when suitable cranes, stores, and docks can support refits where they are needed.