Several years we (a couple authors/historians and myself) on a couple other boards discussed some "What if's" that bear on this one. I had become aware that a Dutch firm was awarded the contracts for scrapping a fair number of HSF vessels, and BADLY wanting a TL wherein the old HSF ships were NOT scrapped but rebuilt, and then sent on a roughly 1-4 basis (1 in Holland, normally being rebuilt or in reserve) with the others (Capital ships) in the DEI. After a lot of research and PM between us, there was really no possibility of it. Everyone wanted these ships gone, the contracts apparently prohibited such an event happening, plus by the time the ships got to Holland they had been subjected to a lot of neglect and most of the non ferrous metals and other valuables stripped out.
That in turn, brought up the other possibility. The RN has for quite a long time been fond of sending naval missions to other nations, accomplishing not only a military function, but also an economic and diplomatic one. The consensus was that the RN, prior to the WNT, would have been amenable to selling just about whatever they had, after being refurbished, at essentially scrap prices. That tends to integrate the other nation in all those areas with Britain. This in fact, is what the Dutch should have done IMO. Tie themselves to the RN's coattails as much as possible, for while this means possibly getting involved in a conflict, it also protects you to a degree from an aggressive other nation, such as Japan.
Alternatively, major units could have been built abroad, with others (possibly) being built at home. Smaller units could have been built in Dutch yards. The OTL plans the Dutch had were good, combined arms plans well thought out but they lacked heavy ships and enough of everything else. Aircraft, subs, minelayers and sweepers, along with a decent squadron of heavy ships, complemented by better defenses ashore would have been a much tougher nut to crack for the Japanese.
That in turn, brought up the other possibility. The RN has for quite a long time been fond of sending naval missions to other nations, accomplishing not only a military function, but also an economic and diplomatic one. The consensus was that the RN, prior to the WNT, would have been amenable to selling just about whatever they had, after being refurbished, at essentially scrap prices. That tends to integrate the other nation in all those areas with Britain. This in fact, is what the Dutch should have done IMO. Tie themselves to the RN's coattails as much as possible, for while this means possibly getting involved in a conflict, it also protects you to a degree from an aggressive other nation, such as Japan.
Alternatively, major units could have been built abroad, with others (possibly) being built at home. Smaller units could have been built in Dutch yards. The OTL plans the Dutch had were good, combined arms plans well thought out but they lacked heavy ships and enough of everything else. Aircraft, subs, minelayers and sweepers, along with a decent squadron of heavy ships, complemented by better defenses ashore would have been a much tougher nut to crack for the Japanese.