How would France, Austria-Hungary, and Italy respond to faster British 15-inch capital ships?
Short answerItaly would likely press the Francesco Caracciolo class hardest, while French and Austro-Hungarian responses would be more constrained.
NotesAustria-Hungary is expected to remain focused chiefly on Italy. France is described as still recovering from the influence of the Jeune École. Italy has an available Francesco Caracciolo design and a strong reason to press it forward if Britain demonstrates a fast battleship. An eight-gun ship capable of 28 knots, or a ten-gun Queen Elizabeth at 26 knots, would put considerable pressure on slower battle lines. Britain has the volume of construction and resources to set the pace, but Italy could gain by being next to put such a ship into service.