WASHINGTON — On Monday, the White House is scheduled to reveal details about a significant naval construction program, according to individuals with knowledge of the matter. President Donald Trump has referred to the planned vessel as a "battleship," aligning with his broader concept of establishing a "Golden Fleet."
Naval Expansion Details
Mark Montgomery, a retired rear admiral now serving as senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, indicated that the announcement will involve a new class of large surface combatant ships along with approximately 50 auxiliary vessels. Montgomery, who is familiar with the discussions, expressed support for increasing support ships but raised concerns about developing a new battleship-type warship.
This development follows the Navy's recent decision to abandon plans for a new small warship due to escalating delays and budget issues. Instead, the service opted for an adapted version of a Coast Guard cutter that had been in production until recently.
Historical Context and Criticism
Traditionally, battleships were heavily armored vessels equipped with large-caliber guns, playing a dominant role during World War II. The U.S. Navy's Iowa-class battleships, for instance, weighed around 60,000 tons. However, their importance in modern naval operations declined after the war, with aircraft carriers and long-range missiles becoming more prominent. Although four Iowa-class ships were updated in the 1980s with modern systems, all were retired by the 1990s.
Montgomery noted that while he backs the initiative to enhance support ship numbers, he questions the strategy of constructing a new battleship-like vessel.
Trump's Naval Involvement
President Trump has consistently shown interest in specific aspects of the Navy's fleet, often favoring older technologies over modernization. For example, during his first term, he advocated for reverting to steam-powered catapults on new aircraft carriers instead of using the more advanced electromagnetic launch systems, though this proposal was not implemented.
Trump has also voiced dissatisfaction with the appearance of Navy destroyers and has criticized ships for showing rust. Navy Secretary John Phelan recounted at his confirmation hearing that Trump frequently texted him late at night about "rusty ships" and inquired about corrective actions.
In 2020, while visiting a shipyard working on the since-canceled Constellation-class frigate, Trump claimed to have personally altered the ship's design. "I looked at it, I said, 'That’s a terrible-looking ship, let’s make it beautiful,'" Trump stated at the time.
The announcement will take place at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he is currently vacationing. This occurs as U.S. forces are engaged in Caribbean operations aimed at curbing illegal drug trafficking and increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan will join Trump for what the White House describes as a "major announcement."
