Editing Java-class cruiser (section)

==Construction==
[[File:Kruiser_Hr.Ms._Sumatra_(1926-1942)_Oplegperiode_tijdens_WOII_in_Portsrmouth,_UK._Oefeningen_15_cm-_geschut_(2158_011547).jpg|thumb|The class' delays made the ships immediately outdated, most obvious in their relatively unprotected and underwhelming armament (image from ''Sumatra'').]]
Reliance on foreign expertise soon backfired as the German arms industry buckled and collapsed as a result of World War I and resulting [[Political violence in Germany (1918–1933)|political unrest throughout Germany]]. Construction stalled as materials were delayed and some parts never arrived at all. After the war, the Dutch government questioned the need to build new, expensive, warships. As a result, the newly-started ''Celebes'' was canceled and work on the other two ships was suspended. During the pause, the government explored alternative uses for the cruisers, including a proposal to convert them into [[English Channel]] [[Ferry|ferries]]. Ultimately, the Navy successfully argued that completing the ships would be more [[Cost-effectiveness analysis|cost-effective]] than abandoning them, and progress resumed in 1920. Both ships were [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] over the next year as parts were sourced from countries such as the United Kingdom and Sweden, although eight SK L/50 {{Convert|5.9|in|cm|abbr=on|order=flip}} guns were found in a [[Krupp]] warehouse and were incorporated.{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=9-10}} Construction was further delayed by a series of [[Strike action|strikes]], the newly introduced 8-hour work day, supply issues, and a fire that destroyed turbines intended for the future ''Sumatra''. New turbines for the cruiser were sourced, allowing her to produce {{cvt|82,000|shp}}.{{sfn|van Oosten|1974|p=73}}{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=10}}

The significant delays of her construction saw the ships outdated by the time she entered service, primarily regarding their armament. By 1922, the [[Washington Naval Treaty]] created a [[Heavy cruiser#Washington Treaty|new standard of cruiser]] equipped with {{Convert|203|mm|in|0|abbr=on|round=}} guns, which Japan heavily invested in. In addition, the single-barrel weapons protected only by gun-shields had already been replaced by enclosed, multi-gun turrets fed by independent [[Magazine (artillery)#Naval magazines|magazines]] in other navies.{{sfn|Cox|2014|p=138}}{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=10}}[[File:Awm 045393 HNLMS Java.jpg|thumb|''Java'' after her reconstruction, featuring thicker and shorter masts.]]

===Modifications===
Soon after the two ships entered service, they were fitted with two [[derrick]]s and two [[floatplane]]s. Initially, the ships were equipped with the [[Fairey III|Fairey S.III]], although it was fragile and replaced by the [[Fokker C.VII-W|Fokker C.VII-w]] in 1927, itself later replaced by the [[Fokker C.XI-W|Fokker C.XI-w]] in 1937.{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}}{{sfn|Noppen|2020|p=10}} During the mid 1930s, the ships were refitted: the forward mast was rebuilt and shortened, and the anti-air weapons was expanded. ''Sumatra'' received three twin [[Bofors 40 mm L/60 gun|{{Convert|4|cm|in|abbr=on}} Bofors guns]], while ''Java'' had two.{{sfn|Whitley|1996|p=190}}