In this assessment, Italy treats treaty rules with particularly aggressive disregard. Other powers also manipulate the system. Britain uses water as armour, while the American Lexington carriers exceed their nominal weight. French experimentation includes cruiser submarines. Competition continues through efforts to obtain capability within and around the treaty framework.
Notable Point · 24:07-25:21
How navies stretch treaty limits
Water used as protection and overweight Lexingtons illustrate the gap between numerical rules and competitive design practice.