On paper, Project 23 carried nine 16-inch guns in triple turrets, twelve 6-inch guns in six twin turrets, and twelve 100-millimetre dual-purpose guns in another six twin mountings. A fully equipped ship was unlikely to remain near the stated 65,000-ton displacement because the requirements kept changing. The separate 6-inch and 100-millimetre batteries also echoed German practice. The specification was formidable, but displacement growth and industrial constraints still governed whether it could be built, completed, and supported.
Notable Point · 44:51-46:31
The formidable paper specification behind Project 23
Project 23 combined nine 16-inch guns, heavy secondary batteries, and ambitious protection in a hull likely to exceed its stated 65,000-ton displacement.