With more 12-inch ships already in service or on order, Britain could take more risk on the next design. An Orion equivalent might arrive a year earlier or be faster, helped by the premise that the 13.5-inch gun was ready a year before it was used. An earlier start on the 15-inch programme leaves its delivery date less certain. The scenario gives Britain batches of four or five battleships and puts German output at two or three ships a year at best, assuming its yards work together. That makes it harder for a German risk fleet to threaten the losses it needs for deterrence.
Notable Point · 47:10-49:19
Faster Orions and a harder target for the German risk fleet
A British lead in 12-inch battleships could allow earlier experimentation with speed and heavier guns, while Germany would still need a credible threat to the battle fleet.