Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:03:01-2:06:30

Why eight Hermes-class carriers change treaty arithmetic

A larger Hermes class would give the Royal Navy useful light carriers but also push it to seek separate treaty allowances for fleet and cruiser-sized carriers.

Aircraft CarriersFleet Air ArmHMS HermesNaval TreatiesRoyal NavyWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

What if HMS Hermes had been one of a class of eight purpose-built carriers?

Short answer

The Royal Navy would gain useful light carriers and probably fight for separate treaty tonnage categories for fleet and cruiser-sized carriers.

Notes

Eight purpose-built Hermes-class ships would be welcome operationally, yet their tonnage would sit awkwardly inside a single cumulative carrier limit. Britain might press for separate pools, one for large fleet carriers and another for ships around 15,000 tons. Such a rule would reshape British construction and the carrier choices available to the United States and Japan.