The German navy did not have an active 14-inch battleship-gun programme, which complicates a German-built Dutch design armed with that calibre. Vickers' guns for the Kongō class offered a plausible pattern or supply source, even if Germany manufactured the weapons from a British template. Using the same gun family chosen by Japan could be presented diplomatically as respect for Japanese experience rather than preparation against Japan. The German and British options were close enough that delivery and availability could outweigh a marginal design advantage.
Notable Point · 36:00-40:00
The 14-inch-gun supply problem
The absence of a German 14-inch programme made Vickers and the Kongō gun pattern important to any Dutch design using that calibre.