Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:42:31-1:42:57

A 16-inch Jean Bart and Iowa reactivation

A fast Jean Bart armed with 16-inch guns would revive American arguments for returning the Iowa class to service.

BattleshipsFrench NavyIowa Class BattleshipsNaval Arms Race
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Question

How would navies react to a 28- to 30-knot Jean Bart armed with 16-inch guns?

Short answer

The United States would probably reopen the recurring debate over reactivating the Iowa class.

Notes

The hypothetical combines 16-inch guns with a speed of 28 to 30 knots, making Jean Bart a serious postwar capital-ship challenge. The immediate American response would likely be renewed discussion of reactivating the Iowa class. Existing fast battleships offered a quicker answer than starting an entirely new design.