The Imperator Aleksandr II pair were battleships built for the Imperial Russian Navy on roughly 9,942 tons. Protracted construction meant they were virtually obsolete by completion. A speed of about 15 knots and a single turret with two 12-inch guns left them weak beside newer battleships, despite their numerous smaller secondary weapons. Long build times had undermined this coastal-defence design before it was ready for service.
Notable Point · 2:04:56-2:05:42
Imperator Aleksandr II and the limits of a coastal-defence battleship
The Imperator Aleksandr II class is used to show how prolonged construction could leave a battleship obsolete at completion.