Two new ships were too few to create a flexible operational capability, while three might have formed a usable fast-capital-ship group with Hood, Renown, Repulse, and Tiger. A third hull would turn isolated additions into a squadron-scale force that could remain useful while one ship was unavailable. The estimate was two battlecruiser squadrons and four battleship squadrons to maintain three fleet commitments, including the Indian Ocean element envisioned in John Jellicoe's Commonwealth and Dominion plan. Britain had to consider the Home Fleet, Mediterranean, and eastern commitments at the same time. The argument connects the number of hulls directly to availability and global coverage.
Notable Point · 55:13-58:24
Why two treaty battleships could not fill Britain's global stations
A third new capital ship could have created a usable fast squadron and eased Britain's effort to cover the Home Fleet, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean commitments.