Repulse-class battleship

Repulse Class Battleship
Class overview
Name:	Repulse Class Battleship
Builders:	Vickers Armstrong Arthurista
Operators:	Commonwealth Navy
Preceded by:	Elbareth-class battleship, Admiral-class battlecruiser
Succeeded by:	Lion-class battleship
Completed:	6
Active:	0
Laid up:	2
Lost:	1
Retired:	4
General characteristics
Type:	Battleship
Displacement:	45,000 tonnes standard, 52,000 tonnes full load
Length:	248m
Beam:	33m
Draught:	11m (deep load)
Installed power:	4 shafts, 4 x steam turbines, 8 x 2-drum boilers (130,000 shp / 97MW)
Speed:	30 knots
Range:	15,300km at 15kn
Armament:	1945: 9x BL 16 inch Mk II naval gun in three triple turrets 24x QF 4.5 inch dual purpose guns in twelve twin turrets 120x QF 2-pounder AA guns in 15x octuple mounts 35x Oerlikon 20 mm cannon in single mounts
Armour:	Belt: 6–15 in (152–381 mm) Deck: 2.5–6 in (64–152 mm) Barbettes: 12–15 in (305–381 mm) Gun turrets: 7–15 in (178–381 mm) Conning tower: 3–4.5 in (76–114 mm) Bulkheads: 4–12 in (102–305 mm)
Aircraft carried:	1x sea plane (removed in 1943), 1x helipad (added in 1955)

The Repulse-class was an Arthuristan fast battleship design, constructed from the early- to mid-1930s. They were intended to replace the 1900s to 1910s-era dreadnought battleships and battlecruisers then remaining in service, considered too slow for modern operational requirements, not to mention insufficiently survivable owing to the obsolete armour schemes they possessed. They were to complement the eight Elbareth-class battleship and Admiral-class battlecruiser which remained in the Commonwealth Navy's order of battle. A production run of eight ships were initially planned, though the final pair were substituted by two Lion-class battleships.

The early-30s was an era of economic hardship for the Arthuristan economy. Nevertheless, the government was increasingly aware of the possibility of a confrontation with the Ghant under the rule of the 'Mad Emperor', as well as the historical archenemy Liothidia, now under communist management. The construction of new warships served to both increase military preparedness, and as a deficit spending program to boost domestic demand. The six Repulse Class vessels which were the results of the program were significantly improved in firepower, protection and mobility over the older dreadnoughts. Their armour was distributed in a ruthless all-or-nothing scheme, designed to protect the ship's vitals which would allow it to float and fight, at the expense of everything else. Deck armour was also significantly enhanced to protect against plunging shellfire and aircraft bomb strikes. Underwater protection was provided by one of the world's earliest forms of composite armour - torpedo bulges with alternating layers of air gaps and diesel fuel. In contrast with the 15 inch guns of older capital ships, which fired a slower, heavier shell, the new 16 inch main armament was supposed to possess improved armour penetration capability by firing lighter AP munitions at higher muzzle velocity. They were complemented by a formidable secondary battery of quick firing 4.5 inch dual purpose guns and a mass of lighter AA weaponry, which would be progressively increased throughout the Great Fascist War. The class's propulsion scheme was capable of providing a top speed of up to 30 knots, a significant improvement of 6 knots over the Elbareth-class and nearly double that of the first generation dreadnoughts.

Eight Repulse class ships were planned, but only six were completed. The final pair, Rama and Regent, were instead superseded by two Lion Class super heavy capital ships, which were laid down in the late-30s. All ships of the class saw action during the wars of the period, mostly as fast carrier escorts rather than the envisaged decisive surface engagement against enemy capital ships. The combination of Arthuristan advantages in ship and personnel quality and technology (most notably radar fire control) made them formidable combatants.

Two ships, HHS Revenge and Renown, escaped moathballing and remained in service following the war against Liothidia. During the post-war period, these ships were progressively upgraded in this period. For example, their masses of light AA weapons were replaced by eight twin turrets for 3"/50 guns, considered more effective in stopping contemporary fast jets despite the reduced number of barrels on board. Guided missiles were added in the 1960s - Greenwich Hammerhead anti-ship missiles in the former seaplane handling area and Sea Cat for point defence. They were finally retired and placed in mothball in the mid-70s.