The proposed change targets a break in naval policy rather than an individual hull. A sustained French capital-ship programme would keep design work, shipbuilding, and supporting infrastructure moving instead of allowing gaps to develop. In this scenario, France is positioned to follow Britain quickly into dreadnought construction. Doctrine can shape industrial readiness long before a particular ship is ordered.
Notable Point · 21:23-21:41
The Jeune École detour and France's dreadnought lag
One counterfactual argues that abandoning Jeune École sooner could have preserved continuous French capital-ship construction and infrastructure.