It uses a special set of 14" triples introduced exclusively for it, which have BB4 range but lower firepower than the 16".
As to its utility and effectiveness, I've heard mixed reviews, but it seems at least decent, with the main draw being that high number of support slots. In that tier, only the Italian Project 41-B and French Richelieu (1951) are truly superior ships. Most others (save the Russian hybrid) are, crew aside, about on par with their nation's regular BB4.
