Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:58:53-3:01:49

A 10:10:7 Washington Treaty fleet ratio

An assumed twenty-twenty-fourteen capital-ship settlement opens several British design choices; extending the larger allowance to carriers could change interwar naval aviation.

Aircraft CarriersCapital ShipsImperial Japanese NavyRoyal NavyUS NavyWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

If Washington allowed twenty British, twenty American and fourteen Japanese capital ships under a 10:10:7 ratio, which additional ships might each navy build?

Short answer

The United States and Japan would probably complete more 16-inch ships. Britain could build more Nelson-style or faster capital ships, while any enlarged carrier allowance would introduce a further major change.

Notes

The scenario assumes twenty capital ships each for Britain and the United States, with fourteen for Japan. Japan and the United States would probably finish more of their planned 16-inch ships. Britain might receive four new capital ships, perhaps two Nelson-style battleships and two faster F3-derived ships. Another suggested option is four 35,000-ton ships with 16-inch guns and a speed of 28 knots. If the enlarged allowance also extended to carriers, additional flight decks would strengthen the case for naval aviation and change interwar procurement.