How would the United States react if Britain sold Japan a Vickers export battleship derived from Nelson, and how many might Japan buy?
Short answerWashington would object to the major technology transfer, while Japanese finances would probably limit the purchase to two or three ships.
NotesA British sale of such a large and advanced capital-ship design to Japan would provoke a strong American reaction. The issue would be the technological step in armour and other construction methods, rather than the addition of a few hulls alone. Japan might want several ships, but cost would probably limit an order to two or three. Export warships could alter a naval balance by transferring industrial knowledge as well as firepower.