If they were damaged, then yes, they probably would need to be repaired in United States or Britain before they are turned over to the Soviets Lagow Naval support vessels would not be much of an issue since most of their likely operations would be close to the coastline or in seas surrounding USSR within range of red airforce
I don’t think the Soviets would be brave enough to venture into the Atlantic even if they got Iowas
I doubt either the US or UK would be willing to spend any cash on repairing the ship(s), only to send them to the USSR...
Then there is very little use for them since the Baltic is dominated by airpower and the Black Sea is sealed off.
IThey could be sent to the Pacific, out of Vladivostok. It's the only open port they would have any use of...
If four ships is a must then I could see the Soviets getting the two surviving Littorio's and the hull of Impero, maybe the French are forced to hand over Jean Bart to complete the quartet for whatever reason. That would give you four ships, which would be in various states of disrepair/damage/completness which Soviet industry would have to figure out how to fix. This would pose serious issues, even if they can get the parts and money to afford them.
Assuming they did get into service though through whatever means you like, then I could see the ships being the most useful in the Pacific as that is the only coast the USSR has not dominated by aircraft and shore based defenses. A quartet of BBs in the pacific poses a serious challenge to US power, and especially likely causes worries about US operations in Asia moving forward.
Assuming they did get into service though through whatever means you like, then I could see the ships being the most useful in the Pacific as that is the only coast the USSR has not dominated by aircraft and shore based defenses. A quartet of BBs in the pacific poses a serious challenge to US power, and especially likely causes worries about US operations in Asia moving forward.
Driftless
Donor
Which would have probably lead to an earlier USN push for potent ship-to-ship missiles as part of a counter-measure
Most likely use of these ships would be convoy escort in any future soviet flanking operation or most importantly shore bombardment.
If they are caught in the open by US Naval air power I think they will be just target practice.
Can you see these ships getting SSN-2 quartet on each side in lieu of their second armament?
Its also likely to cause the UK and France to change their own views as to the size and flexibility of their own naval forces, less reduction than in OTL.
Could the UK have built a pair of Oceans in place of the Albion's in the 90s?
Given Ocean was built at "commercial standards" I don't see why not, but would it have been the best choice for the RN's Sea Lift capabilities?
In a bit of a difference, the end of year Irish State Papers had details of an approach from the Netherlands in building submarines for Taiwan in the 90's after the issues China had with the delivery of Hai Lung subs. It was turned down so as not to piss off China but I wonder if the full 4 would have been ordered and delivered and if any other subs might have been ordered as follow ons?
Completely diferent roles. Afaik, the Ocean couldn't carry tanks or other vehicles.
Guessing it would have been the follow on order of the modified Zwaardvis class, the Hai Lung. In 1992 Taiwan made a repeat order for 4 of them but the Netherlands turned them down due to pressure from China. The timeframe would fit in relation to the State Papers, seemed the idea was they would be assembled in Cobh, guess someone figured that Ireland wouldn't mind pissing off China?
Zwaardvis-class submarine - Wikipedia
Ocean had a vehicle deck and 4x LCVPs. I'm not sure how many vehicles and what weight limits she had compared to the Albions though.
Pangur
Donor
Another "what if" ?Guessing it would have been the follow on order of the modified Zwaardvis class, the Hai Lung. In 1992 Taiwan made a repeat order for 4 of them but the Netherlands turned them down due to pressure from China. The timeframe would fit in relation to the State Papers, seemed the idea was they would be assembled in Cobh, guess someone figured that Ireland wouldn't mind pissing off China?
Zwaardvis-class submarine - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
But no capacity to land heavy vehicles.
They could but it would have required a doctrinal shift for the RN to give up the idea of landing vehicles ashore. A different question is if in the late 1980's with the Fearless LPD's approaching end of life and post Falklands if the RN had gone for two LHD's i.e. flat deck, hanger and dock all in one ship instead of the OTL Ocean and Albion combo.