Four Caracciolos would have formed almost half of Italy's capital-ship fleet alongside six older 12-inch ships. A single new class could therefore create a substantial fast division, and its successors could soon make fast ships the majority. Japan followed a comparable course as the Kongos and then the Nagatos increased the faster component relative to the Fuso and Ise classes. Germany, France, and the pre-expansion United States occupied a more awkward middle position: too many older ships to replace quickly, but insufficient resources for a useful specialist force. Britain could retain a numerically superior main battle line while building a separate fast component. Fast battleships could support the scouting forces and hold an enemy pursuing the battlecruisers until the main fleet arrived.
Chapter · 1:03:12-1:06:50
Fleet size shaped who could adopt fast battleships
Small navies could change doctrine with one fast class, while the Royal Navy could sustain specialist fast units because its main battle fleet remained enormous.