Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 48:19-48:43

When experimental carriers force treaty definitions to change

Large American or Japanese fleets of nominally experimental carriers would likely provoke tighter treaty definitions rather than remain outside normal limits.

Aircraft CarriersImperial Japanese NavyNaval ProcurementNaval TreatiesUS Navy
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Question

What if the United States and Japan built experimental carriers on the same scale as the Royal Navy?

Short answer

The scale would likely cause alarm and prompt a stricter treaty definition of experimental carriers.

Notes

Early British carriers could receive special treatment because they were experimental ships built around evolving technology. A comparable American or Japanese programme on a much larger scale would alarm the other treaty powers. The reaction to Japan's sub-10,000-ton carrier experiments suggests that Washington would press to redefine what counted as experimental. A treaty loophole would survive only while its use remained limited enough for the other powers to tolerate.