The original construction design is shown at 32 knots with nine 15-inch/44 guns and armor reaching 19 inches. The refit updates torpedo spotting, survivability, range, machinery, and other systems before the ships enter normal service. The need for an immediate four-month refit follows from technology advancing while the battleships were still under construction. A comparison between the existing 15-inch battery and a 16-inch alternative favors the smaller caliber after weighing range, penetration, turret rotation, and rate of fire. Standard bulkheads, nearly 20,000 kilometers of range, and about 31 knots produce what the discussion classifies as a fast battleship, with subdivision serving as the practical dividing line from a battlecruiser.
Chapter · 2:07:00-2:19:15
Why newly built battleships receive an immediate refit
The new Lion-class ships are refitted on commissioning because construction time has already left their systems behind the current technology level.