What would the careers and modernization of two Dutch Lion-class battlecruisers look like?
Short answerThey would likely gain 14-inch guns, stronger machinery, modern anti-aircraft control, and serve as Far Eastern flagships with Force Z or ABDA.
NotesThe Dutch would likely replace the 13.5-inch battery with 14-inch guns and fit more powerful machinery to preserve speed. Because the ships would spend much of their careers in the East Indies, they could be present when the Pacific war began. Their size would support an admiral, staff, communications, and a genuine flagship function within Force Z or ABDA. Dutch fire-control development might also give them radar-directed anti-aircraft guns, creating a much harder problem for attacking torpedo bombers.