Q&A · 1:25:21-1:26:28

Would Tiger Cubs retire the old armoured cruisers?

War preserves old armoured cruisers in secondary roles, but Tiger Cubs would make their rapid post-war retirement likely.

Question

Would the new Tiger Cubs cause the Royal Navy to retire its older armoured cruisers?

Short answer

Not during the war, when old ships remain useful, but probably very soon after it ends.

Notes

The first Tiger Cubs enter service after the war has begun, so they would not trigger immediate disposal of older armoured cruisers. Wartime demand keeps even obsolescent ships useful in second- and third-line duties, just as the Royal Navy retained older pre-dreadnoughts. Once peace returns, the modern cruisers can assume the station and deterrence roles that had justified keeping the older type. The armoured-cruiser force might then disappear very quickly, perhaps within about six weeks of the armistice.