The Type VII changed substantially over its production life, so an early-war boat should not be treated as identical to a later model. Beginning mass construction in the early 1930s could give Germany more submarines at the outbreak of war. It would also lock more production into designs that lacked later improvements. The exchange exposes a recurring procurement trade-off between having equipment soon and waiting for a more capable design.
Notable Point · 10:42-11:05
Earlier mass production locks in older U-boat designs
Starting a large submarine programme earlier would increase numbers while committing Germany to less mature designs.