Trump Unveils Ambitious Naval Plan for a New Era of Battleships
In a striking announcement from his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort, President Trump outlined plans for the U.S. Navy to construct a new class of warship he calls a “battleship,” part of a visionary “Golden Fleet.” Trump asserts these ships will be “100 times more powerful” than historical battleships.
The proposed lead ship, the USS Defiant, is expected to surpass the size of the World War II-era Iowa-class battleships. Equipped with advanced weaponry such as hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, rail guns, and high-powered lasers, these ships represent the latest technological aspirations of the Navy.
This announcement follows the Navy’s recent decision to abandon plans for a new small warship due to delays and costs. Instead, they opted to modify an existing Coast Guard cutter design. The Navy has faced challenges in delivering new ship designs like the Ford-class aircraft carrier and Columbia-class submarines on time and within budget.
The Navy’s efforts to develop some of the advanced technologies Trump mentioned have met with varied success. The railgun project, for instance, was discontinued in 2021 after significant investment. Conversely, laser systems have seen recent deployments on eight destroyers, though their use remains limited.
While nuclear cruise missile development might conflict with international non-proliferation agreements, design work for the new battleship is reportedly underway, with construction expected in the early 2030s, according to a U.S. official who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press.
Trump and Navy Secretary John Phelan envision the Trump-class warship as a modern continuation of the 20th-century battleship legacy. Historically, battleships were large, heavily armored vessels with powerful guns. The new ship, however, will rely primarily on missile systems rather than traditional naval guns.
The new “guided missile battleship” is designed to be similar in size to the Iowa-class but will weigh less, around 35,000 tons, and require smaller crews of 650 to 850 sailors.
President Trump has consistently expressed views on naval aesthetics, preferring older technologies over newer innovations. During his previous term, he advocated for steam-powered catapults on aircraft carriers. He has also communicated concerns about the appearance of rust on Navy ships.
Phelan recounted to senators how Trump frequently texts him about naval matters, even late at night, with comments on ship appearance and maintenance.
On a 2020 visit to a shipyard, Trump claimed to have influenced the design of a now-cancelled frigate, stating, “I looked at it, I said, ‘That’s a terrible-looking ship, let’s make it beautiful.'” He plans to be actively involved in the design process of the new battleship.
Phelan remarked that the USS Defiant would “inspire awe and reverence for the American flag whenever it pulls into a foreign port,” underscoring the symbolic and strategic significance of this new class of ships.
