Q&A · 1:01:34-1:03:54

Converting Hood under the treaty disadvantages every navy

A treaty counterfactual shows why carrier parity, 16-inch battleship ratios, and Hood's global role cannot be traded independently.

Question

Would a treaty requiring Hood's conversion into a carrier while allowing three Nelsons be a net gain for the Royal Navy?

Short answer

No; Britain would lose the centerpiece of its global battlecruiser strategy, still need a second equivalent carrier, and provoke a capital-ship ratio that also disadvantages the United States.

Notes

Carrier conversions were still an uncertain capability, and Britain would prefer a matched pair rather than Hood alone against two Lexingtons and two Japanese ships. Adding a third Nelson changes the 16-inch balance as well, leaving each signatory with a reason to reject the bargain.