Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:16:56-3:17:18

Six Ganguts or four Kongos for a smaller navy?

A forced procurement choice highlights the operational flexibility of Kongo-class speed over the numerical advantage of six Gangut-class battleships.

BattlecruisersBattleshipsFleet DesignGangut Class BattleshipsKongo Class BattlecruisersNaval Procurement
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Question

In 1910, should a second-rank naval power buy six Ganguts or four Kongos?

Short answer

Choose the four Kongos for their flexibility, unless geography confines the fleet to a restricted sea where the extra Gangut hulls become more useful.

Notes

Four Kongos are the stronger choice unless the fleet is confined to a restricted theater such as the Adriatic. Their speed and wider operational options outweigh the two extra Gangut hulls for a second-rank navy expected to maneuver across open water. The caveat matters because geography can reverse the value of speed, range, protection, and numbers.