What if Britain laid down four battleships and two battlecruisers every year from the Orion class onward?
Short answerThe total capital-ship effort remains similar but shifts five hulls from battleships to battlecruisers, strengthening distant deployments and making early clashes such as Dogger Bank especially dangerous for Germany.
NotesAcross 1909-1914, the rule would produce roughly five fewer battleships and five more battlecruisers than the historical program. Britain would still retain enough dreadnoughts to outnumber Germany, while additional fast ships could cover distant stations and perhaps reach Coronel. The decisive effect may come before Jutland: a much stronger battlecruiser force at Dogger Bank could remove Germany's scouting group before 1916.