WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday announced plans for a new class of U.S. Navy warships, reviving the battleship concept roughly 85 years after it was eclipsed by the aircraft carrier as the world’s dominant naval platform.
The proposal is part of a broader shipbuilding initiative Trump has branded the “Golden Fleet.”
Trump made the announcement from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, flanked by senior national security officials, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Navy Secretary John Phelan.
A New Naval Push
Under the proposal, the Navy would begin construction on two so-called “Trump-class” battleships, with the potential to expand the fleet to as many as 20 to 25 ships over time.
“These will be the largest battleships in the history of our country — the largest in the history of the world,” Trump said, arguing that the United States needs a stronger and more visible naval presence to deter adversaries.
Trump described the ships as larger, faster, and more powerful than any previous U.S. warship, though few technical details were released during the announcement.
What These Ships Would Likely Be
The idea of building new battleships — a vessel type largely phased out after World War II — immediately raised questions within defense circles.
Traditional battleships, such as the Iowa-class, were centered on heavy guns and thick armor. They fell out of favor as aircraft carriers, submarines, and missile-equipped surface combatants proved more effective in modern warfare.
Retired naval officers familiar with early discussions say the proposed vessels would likely resemble oversized surface combatants rather than classic battleships. Instead of large-caliber guns, they would predominantly feature advanced missile systems, air defense capabilities, and modern sensors.
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The new vessels will mark an upgrade to the Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
The first ship in the so-called Trump-class will be the USS Defiant, which will carry the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile, according to Phelan.
The Navy secretary said the Defiant will be the “largest, deadliest and most versatile and best looking warship anywhere on the world’s oceans.”
As outlined by Navy officials, the Golden Fleet concept could also include up to 50 support and auxiliary ships to sustain the larger force.
Trump said one of the proposed new warships could be completed in about 2.5 years.
Cost and Capacity Concerns
Defense analysts caution that building a new class of large U.S. Navy warships would present significant industrial and budgetary challenges.
Preliminary estimates suggest the vessels could displace between 15,000 and 20,000 tons and cost billions of dollars per ship. Meeting those requirements would likely force U.S. shipyards to expand facilities and hire additional workers capable of handling construction at that scale.
Shipbuilding capacity is already under strain from ongoing submarine and aircraft carrier programs, raising concerns that adding another major initiative could lead to delays or cost overruns.
The U.S. Navy has not built a battleship since the 1940s and decommissioned its last battleship in 1992. Critics note that many of the missions once assigned to battleships are now fulfilled by other platforms without the need to construct massive surface combatants.
Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers and cruisers, for example, perform air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and land-attack missions using Tomahawk cruise missiles. These ships feature modern designs that proponents argue offer greater survivability than a large, highly visible battleship.
Aircraft carriers remain the Navy’s primary power-projection assets, capable of launching aircraft to strike targets hundreds of miles inland, a reach that far exceeds the range of naval guns — including railguns.
Analysts also point to advances in precision-guided missile technology, which allow a variety of platforms to deliver long-range firepower without the risks associated with deploying a single, large vessel.
Strategic Backdrop
The announcement comes as the U.S. military adjusts its global posture amid rising tensions with Venezuela and other regions, and as China continues to expand its navy at a rapid pace.
Critics argue that resources would be better spent on carrier strike groups, submarines, and dispersed missile platforms rather than reviving the battleship concept. Supporters counter that a larger and more formidable surface fleet could strengthen deterrence and signal U.S. resolve.
For now, key questions about design, cost, and strategy are still unresolved.
