Why Incomparable would disrupt Washington

How would Incomparable affect the Washington Naval Treaty?

It would provoke intense bargaining because Britain would resist scrapping such a powerful ship, but its existence already assumes an earlier 18-inch arms race.

Treaty negotiators historically made room for exceptional new capital ships such as Hood. Incomparable would be even more difficult for Britain to surrender because it would be presented as the world's most powerful battleship. The ship is unlikely to appear unless 18-inch vessels already exist, since otherwise the jump to 20 inches is too abrupt. Its treaty impact therefore depends on an earlier chain of completed heavy-gun programmes.