Capital ships generally became replaceable after twenty years, while new construction could begin after seventeen years and a ten-year building holiday constrained the immediate program. Accidental loss could trigger an early replacement, but the regular schedule then had to move forward accordingly. The treaty required disclosure of authorization, keel, dimensions, displacement, and completion for replacement ships, creating a formal transparency regime around each new hull. Existing capital ships could add up to 3,000 tons for anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, bulge, blister, and deck-protection improvements, with special language allowing Renown's suspended alterations to continue.
Chapter · 1:13:36-1:17:16
Replacement rules froze construction but permitted selective modernization
Capital ships generally became replaceable after twenty years, while a ten-year building holiday and tightly defined refit allowances constrained interim work.