Q&A · 1:39:26-1:39:48

Italy outside the war could complete a stronger balanced fleet

Remaining neutral through 1945 could leave Italy with three or four Vittorio Veneto-class battleships and time to introduce aircraft carriers.

Question

What might the Italian Navy look like in 1945 if Italy stayed out of the war?

Short answer

It could field three or four Vittorio Veneto-class battleships and probably begin operating aircraft carriers.

Notes

A neutral Italy could continue its Vittorio Veneto-class program instead of losing ships and industrial capacity in war. By 1945, three or perhaps four members of the class might be operational. The navy could also add carriers, especially if officers favoring naval aviation remained influential. Wartime losses and emergency priorities interrupted the Regia Marina's prewar force-development path.