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Britain's prewar cruiser shortage

The Royal Navy needed more heavy cruisers before World War II, but its deeper problem was a shortage of cruisers of every kind.

Cruisers Force Structure Heavy Cruisers Royal Navy World War II

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Question

Should the Royal Navy have built more heavy cruisers before World War II?

Short answer

Yes, but it needed more cruisers overall and was already building as many as constraints allowed.

Notes

The Royal Navy needed more heavy cruisers before World War II. It also needed more cruisers across the other categories. The service was trying to build as many as it could, with Treasury funding and treaty restrictions limiting the programme. Increasing the total force was the priority.