According to the initial design plan, the "Enhanced Carrier" envisioned enhancing survivability by sacrificing payload, fuel capacity, and reducing hangar space. Simply put, the tonnage saved was used to reinforce the ship's structure, avoiding the use of scarce high-strength alloy steel.
The key, in fact, lies in the crucial high-strength alloy steel needed for building warships.
Not just in the Liangxia Empire, but worldwide, high-strength alloy steel meeting military standards is a strategic resource. It's not only needed for constructing battleships but also for other military equipment, such as the Army's main battle tanks. Even some parts of combat aircraft, like the landing gear, are made from high-strength alloy steel.
Once the state of war was entered, all strategic materials, including high-strength alloy steel, were integrated into the distribution system.
Obviously, it was not a matter of obtaining as much as desired.
