New Naval Fleet Announced
During a statement made at his Palm Beach estate on December 22, President Donald Trump disclosed the initiation of a new naval fleet project, which he described as a "golden fleet." This initiative will be spearheaded by two newly designed battleships.
Details of the Battleships
The initial battleship, named the USS Defiance, will be the first of its class, referred to as the "Trump class." Following this, an additional eight battleships are planned, with a further 10 to 15 expected thereafter. "We envision that these ships will be the first of a whole new class of battleships," the president said. "Once completed, these new 30,000- to 40,000-ton vessels will be the flagships of the American naval fleet."
Construction of the first battleship is estimated to take approximately 30 months. It is projected to be significantly more powerful than battleships from the World War II era, equipped with sea-launched nuclear cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and artificial intelligence systems.
Funding and Production
While specific costs for each battleship were not disclosed, funding will partly come from a $26 billion defense spending bill recently approved by Congress. The president mentioned plans to meet with industry leaders in Palm Beach the following week to discuss production timelines. He expressed dissatisfaction with previous delays and budget overruns in naval projects, citing the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier as an example.
Historical Context and Additional Projects
Battleships were central to the U.S. Navy until the late 20th century, when advancements in weaponry and naval aviation rendered them outdated. The largest battleships in U.S. history were constructed during World War II, including the USS Iowa, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Missouri, the latter being the site of Japan's surrender in September 1945. These ships were later modernized and reactivated during the Reagan administration.
In addition to the battleships, the president highlighted ongoing construction of 15 nuclear submarines, three more aircraft carriers, and various smaller vessels like frigates.
