Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 46:26-48:20

Interwar fleets without cruiser and carrier limits

Removing treaty limits on cruisers and carriers produces a much larger Royal Navy air arm and cruiser force before the Second World War.

Aircraft CarriersCruisersFleet Air ArmNaval Treaties
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

How would the Second World War change if cruisers and carriers were not limited by naval treaties?

Short answer

Britain would likely build far more cruisers and carriers, expanding naval aviation and strengthening the case for an independent Fleet Air Arm.

Notes

Without treaty limits, the Royal Navy would likely order additional Ark Royal-type carriers and many Town-class cruisers. British yards could turn interwar cruiser and carrier construction into sustained fleet expansion. A larger carrier program would strengthen the Navy's institutional case for regaining control of the Fleet Air Arm. Naval aviation would become too large to dismiss as a minor adjunct of the RAF.