The loss of Force Z is often used to argue that battleships needed friendly air cover. The aircraft selected for Ise and Hyuga were reconnaissance floatplanes and dive bombers rather than fighters, which does not fit that explanation. Japanese carrier losses had intensified the search for strike aircraft that could support the Kantai Kessen decisive battle. Cost and time ruled out more elaborate carrier conversions, while damage to Hyuga's fifth turret made the Ise class an expedient first choice; the Fuso class was expected to follow. The aircraft fit therefore points to strike power, not fleet air defence, as the conversion's main purpose.
Chapter · 2:20:37-2:23:57
Ise and Hyuga were rebuilt for decisive-battle strike power
The planned aircraft fit shows that the Ise-class conversion sought additional reconnaissance and attack capacity for decisive battle rather than a fighter screen for the fleet.