The campaign upgrades old battleships with anti-torpedo protection, double hulls, and other survivability measures before considering improvements to existing cruisers. The work keeps each old hull usable while no immediate major war demands wholesale replacement. Refits also preserve ships that can cover routine stations while newer construction develops. This leaves more construction capacity available for the fleet's eventual replacement programme.
Chapter · 17:15-23:21
Refitting older battleships for useful service
A refit discussion shows how survivability upgrades can keep older battleships useful while the fleet avoids immediate war.