France's smaller design is contrasted with Littorios approaching 41,000 tons standard displacement and Italy's ability to build four new ships while modernizing old ones. Parity forced a continuing French strategic problem, giving Italy a notable treaty gain even before its later non-compliance. The section also stresses the operational weight of having multiple battleships available together in the Mediterranean. A six-battleship Italian concentration, combined with a comparable German force, could have forced the Royal Navy onto the defensive before British reinforcements entered service.
Chapter · 52:21-55:44
Littorios and Italy’s treaty advantage
The Littorios show how Italy paired a favorable treaty position with a later capital-ship programme that greatly exceeded the stated limits.