Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:21:19-2:22:21

The Armistice ended the case for more R-class submarines

The Royal Navy stopped at twelve R-class boats because the war ended and postwar design study offered more value than continued production.

Anti-Submarine WarfareR Class SubmarinesRoyal NavySubmarinesWorld War I
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Question

Why did the Royal Navy build only twelve R-class diesel-electric hunter-killer submarines?

Short answer

The war was ending, so there was no need for more; the navy could study wartime lessons and design a better next generation instead.

Notes

The R class was built for an immediate First World War requirement, and the Armistice removed the opponent and mission that justified more boats. One alternative was to digest wartime engineering and operational experience before producing a successor generation. The later U class is suggested as a closer spiritual continuation than the S class.