The proposal favours continued Scharnhorst production over a leap to Bismarck. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau count as battleships despite their 11-inch guns because Germany built and designated them for that role. New hulls could retain the triple 11-inch turrets at first, then receive twin 15-inch mountings as those became available. A family of four, five, or six related ships would offer more operational choices than two pairs from different classes. Common ships would also simplify training, spares, maintenance, and support, avoiding a fleet that rarely fielded more than two operational battleships at once.
Chapter · 27:05-29:44
Standardizing German capital ships on Scharnhorst
Continuing Scharnhorst production, later refitted with twin 15-inch turrets, could give Germany more usable battleships and simpler support.