The historical Hipper class used a very powerful but inefficient steam plant and offered only about 6,000 nautical miles at 20 knots. Replacing it with mature diesels could make the heavy cruiser easier to operate and dramatically extend its cruising radius. Germany would gain several cruiser and capital-ship types able to raid at long range, rather than a single better Deutschland substitute. Scharnhorst-scale endurance could reach the Indian Ocean or even Australian waters with pre-positioned support, forcing Britain to disperse scarce fast hunters.
Chapter · 54:07-56:55
Hipper as the heavy-cruiser step toward a diesel fleet
A diesel-powered Admiral Hipper class would replace a notably inefficient steam plant with the endurance needed to join Germany's other long-range surface raiders.