Three fast battlecruisers each armed with six 38cm guns were to be built as part of the Z Plan. The intended role of these ships was to raid the enemy's supply lines thanks to their long range and high speed. They were designed to have a combined propulsion including diesel motors for the wing shafts and a steam turbine plant for the central shaft. Construction was however suspended in September 1939 before their keels were even laid down.

Displacement: standard 28,900 mt, full load 35,400 mt.

Dimensions: Waterline length 246 m, overall length 256.5 m, beam 30 m, maximum draft 8.2 m, depth 14.35 m.

Armour: main belt 190 mm, main turrets 50-210 mm, upper deck 50 mm, armour deck 60-80 mm, conning tower 80-200 mm, torpedo bulkhead 45 mm.

Armament:
  •  6 x 38cm/L52 guns in three double turrets.
  •  6 x 15cm/L55 guns in three double turrets.
  •  8 x 10.5cm/L65 guns in four double mounts.
  •  8 x 3.7cm/L83 guns in four double mounts.
  •  20 x 2cm guns
  •  6 x 53.3cm torpedo tubes in two triple mounts.

Aircraft: 4 x Arado ar 196.

Propulsion plant:
  •  Eight M.A.N. diesel motors coupled to the wing shafts, 116,000 hp
  •  Four Wagner boilers, one Brown-Boveri turbine set coupled to the central shaft, 60,000 hp.

Speed: 33.5 knots.

Endurance: 14,000 nm at 19 knots.

Fuel capacity: 5,100 mt.

Crew: 1,900.

O Class
Name	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Commd.	Fate
SCHLACHTKREUZER O	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	-	-	(Planned for 01.06.1943)	Canceled before construction began
SCHLACHTKREUZER P	Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven	-	-	(Planned for 01.06.1943)	Canceled before construction began
SCHLACHTKREUZER Q	Germaniawerft, Kiel	-	-	(Planned for 01.12.1943)	Canceled before construction began