Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:29:44-1:32:04

Removing cumulative limits changes carrier construction

The Second London Naval Treaty removed cumulative capital-ship limits, and applying the same principle earlier would permit far larger national building programs.

Aircraft CarriersNaval Arms ControlNaval ProcurementRoyal NavySecond London Naval Treaty (1936)
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Question

Did the Second London Naval Treaty remove cumulative limits for capital ships?

Short answer

Yes, and applying that approach earlier would greatly expand battleship and carrier construction before 1939.

Notes

Without cumulative tonnage ceilings, treaty powers could build as many individually compliant ships as budgets allowed. Moving that rule into the First London framework would radically change the fleets available in 1939. Britain could pursue 27,000-ton carriers combining Ark Royal-scale air groups with Illustrious-style protection. Aggregate limits, as well as per-ship dimensions, determined interwar fleet structure.