French navy asked for 45,000 tons battleship according to the Dutch newspaper Bredasche courant dated 23 January 1935

French battleship Richelieu. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Italian battleship Vittorio Vento. Postcard Chocolate Estrella. 

An item reported that the French department of navy demanded the building of a 45.000 ton cruiser (1) to obtain a strength similar to the Italian navy. The latter was that year to be strengthened with 2-35.00 ton battle ships.(2) The cabinet seemed to ask coming month the parliament for a card blanche for building such a cruiser and a budget of more as 1 billion francs.

Notes

1. The fast battleship Richelieu, laid down by Arsenal de Brest on 22 October 1935, launched on 17 January 1939, commissioned on 1 April 1940, decommissioned in 1967 and stricken and broken up in 1968. With a displacement of 37,850 (standard)-44,698 (full load) tons and as main armament 2x4-38cm/15” guns cal 45Modèle 1935 guns. Preceded by Dunkerque-class succeeded by never realized Alsace-class.

2. Part of the Littorio or Vittorio Veneto-class preceded by planned Francesco Caracciolo and realized Andrea Doria-class with a displacement of 40,724 (standard)-45,236 (full load) tons and a main armament of 3x3-38.1cm/15”guns. The first two completed ships were the Littorio and the Vittorio Veneto, laid down in 1934.