How super-Scharnhorsts change British rearmament

How would Britain respond if Germany built three much larger Scharnhorst-class battleships with 16.1-inch guns?

The Royal Navy would abandon the historical 14-inch King George V configuration and build at least six larger 15- or 16-inch-gunned ships with more speed and protection.

British intelligence would detect a major German gun and hull programme before the 1936 British orders. Germany's three larger Scharnhorst-class ships would therefore prevent the historical 14-inch King George V design from remaining unchanged. Britain would probably order at least six responses with nine 16-inch guns, stronger external armour, and roughly 30 knots so the German ships could not dictate range. A 15-inch alternative might survive if treaty politics still constrained the gun choice. A known rival programme can overturn treaty preferences before a class is finalized.