Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:06:54-1:07:24

A Littorio purchase and the South American naval balance

An Argentine Littorio purchase would likely send Brazil toward the United States or Britain and push Chile toward a British Lion-like response.

Argentine NavyBattleshipsBrazilian NavyChilean NavyLittorio Class BattleshipsNaval Arms Race
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Question

Why might Argentina seek a Littorio-class battleship, and how would Brazil and Chile respond?

Short answer

Argentina would gain a powerful modern ship, while Brazil would likely turn to the United States or Britain and Chile to a British Lion-like design.

Notes

Littorio would be an attractive purchase because it was a highly capable modern battleship. Such an acquisition would destabilize the South American naval balance rather than remain an isolated Argentine decision. Brazil would probably seek an American or British answer, while Chile would be likely to approach Britain. The likely British offering would resemble a Lion-class design more than a King George V, showing how one export order can restart a regional capital-ship race.