Lion carried the same 13.5-inch main guns and 4-inch secondary guns as Jellicoe's battleships, together with 21-inch torpedo tubes. Its 27.5-knot speed followed comparison with the German battlecruiser program. The comparison distinguishes Von der Tann's trial speed from its lower design speed before considering the later Moltke and Seydlitz types. Britain wanted more speed than the earlier 25-knot battlecruisers and enough fighting power to confront German counterparts.
Notable Point · 1:02:12-1:03:51
Lion's speed requirement against German battlecruisers
Lion combined heavier guns with a speed advantage intended to let it fight contemporary German battlecruisers.