Publicly launching three Yamato-class hulls in 1940 would require earlier investment in the yards and infrastructure needed to build them together. The counterfactual could then deliver three battleships by 1943, possibly by the end of 1942. Such a visible force would encourage the United States to complete more Iowas and build Montanas, while Britain would have a stronger reason to complete the Lions. In 1940, another battleship remained the weapon planners could confidently expect to defeat a very large enemy battleship. Carrier aviation had growing potential, but that uncertainty favoured building proven capital ships alongside the developing carrier force.
Notable Point · 3:07:25-3:10:49
How the Yamato program would reshape Allied construction
Three visible Yamato-class launches in 1940 could encourage Montana and Lion construction while planners still wanted battleships as a proven answer to battleships.