The Dunkerques would still strengthen an allied fast force, although Britain would depend less heavily on their contribution if Nelson and Rodney already had F3 speed. The older French and Italian battleships would face a harder comparison with that British force. Rebuilt Italian ships reaching about 26 knots would remain slow enough for F3 to catch, making new construction more attractive than further expensive alterations. The scenario expects French finances to constrain a response, while Mussolini's prestige ambitions make a new Italian 28-knot design more plausible. These are proposed reactions to the altered British fleet.
Chapter · 1:45:23-1:56:17
France and Italy face new capital-ship choices
Dunkerque remains useful to Britain, while the altered speed balance could make new Italian ships more attractive than rebuilding older hulls.