Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:40:35-3:43:17

Which London treaty imposed the 23,000-ton carrier limit?

The treaty figures distinguish the original 27,000-ton aircraft-carrier definition from the Second London Naval Treaty's lower 23,000-ton ceiling.

Aircraft CarriersCarrier DesignFirst London Naval Treaty (1930)Illustrious Class Aircraft CarriersLondon Naval TreatiesNaval ProcurementSecond London Naval Treaty (1936)
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Question

Did the first London Naval Treaty limit aircraft carriers to 23,000 tons?

Short answer

No. The earlier limit was 27,000 tons, and the Second London Naval Treaty reduced the ceiling to 23,000 tons.

Notes

The earlier treaty framework retained a 27,000-ton definition for aircraft carriers. The 23,000-ton ceiling belongs to the Second London Naval Treaty and aligns with the standard displacement associated with the Illustrious class. Because the initial recollection was uncertain, the figures were checked before the lower limit was assigned. Treaty date and displacement limit directly shape whether a proposed carrier design is feasible in a given counterfactual.