Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:39:35-1:41:44

Treaty-era British battleship replacement cadence

Treaty replacement rules would likely produce a steady long-term program, perhaps two British ships every other year.

BattleshipsFirst London Naval Treaty (1930)Naval Arms ControlRoyal NavyShipbuilding
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Question

At what rate would Britain build capital ships under a treaty allowing renewed construction?

Short answer

Likely about one per year on average, ordered as pairs every other year under replacement limits.

Notes

Starting construction after the first London treaty rather than waiting would preserve yards, skills, and infrastructure. That continuity could avoid some of the industrial problems later encountered with the King George V class. Under a twenty-year replacement life and ratio-based limits, Britain would probably receive about ten new capital ships per decade. Ordering pairs every other year would meet that average and maintain a steady program.