Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:37:27-1:38:20

A 17,000-ton cruiser crosses the Washington Treaty's capital-ship line

Calling a ship a heavy cruiser cannot exempt it when its displacement exceeds the treaty's 10,000-ton threshold.

Capital ShipsFrench NavyHeavy CruisersNaval Arms ControlWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

Could France build 17,000-ton heavy cruisers armed with 12-inch guns under the Washington Naval Treaty?

Short answer

No; once the ship exceeds 10,000 tons it falls into the treaty's restricted capital-ship category.

Notes

Under the Washington Naval Treaty, a ship above 10,000 tons enters the restricted capital-ship category regardless of what its navy calls it. The boundary also explains contemporary interest in placing carriers just below 10,000 tons to avoid restrictions. Treaty design categories are therefore legal definitions tied to displacement, not simply national descriptions of intended role.