Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:36:10-2:36:53

A Lion-class HMAS Australia: usefulness and cost

A Lion-class Australia is judged more useful but more expensive, against a Dominion requirement for cruiser-squadron command and economic warfare.

BattlecruisersCommerce WarfareIndefatigable Class BattlecruisersLion Class BattlecruisersRoyal Australian Navy
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Question

What if HMAS Australia had been built as a Lion-class battlecruiser rather than an Indefatigable?

Short answer

A Lion would have been more useful but more expensive. The Dominion requirement emphasized a cruiser-squadron flagship for economic warfare.

Notes

A Lion-class Australia would have been more useful in several ways, but it would also have cost more. The Australian and New Zealand requirement emphasized an economic-warfare cruiser that could lead a cruiser squadron. The ship was to serve as the squadron's flagship while its cruisers carried out commerce warfare. That emphasis helps explain the choice without denying the usefulness of a more powerful design.