Would Britain arm the Lions with 15-inch guns?

Would an accelerated Lion class use triple 15-inch turrets instead of waiting for 16-inch guns?

Probably not; the stronger German threat would encourage Britain to push the planned 16-inch guns through more quickly.

A triple 15-inch mounting could simplify some parts of the design, but Britain has no need to abandon the Lion class's planned 16-inch weapon. The historical delays reflect shifting priorities and time available for development rather than an insoluble gun problem. A larger German fleet gives Britain a reason to press the 16-inch program harder and accept fewer pauses. The result preserves Lion as the qualitative step beyond the 14-inch King George V class.