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Trump announces new battleship fleet amid Navy expansion
US President Donald Trump revealed plans on Monday to construct a new series of heavily armed battleships named after himself, marking a major push to bolster the US Navy's fleet. The initiative, dubbed the "Golden Fleet," aims to address concerns over China's growing naval dominance.
First vessels to begin construction soon
The first ship in the series, the USS Defiant, is expected to enter production shortly, with Trump stating the vessels will be operational within two and a half years. The president approved an initial order of two battleships, with plans to expand the fleet to 25 ships.
"They'll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far, 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built," Trump said during the announcement at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Advanced weaponry and domestic job creation
The Trump-class battleships will be equipped with hypersonic missiles and other "extremely lethal" weaponry, serving as the Navy's flagship vessels. Trump emphasized the ships would be built domestically, generating "thousands" of jobs. Renderings of the vessels were displayed during the event.
Navy Secretary John Phelan revealed in a recent interview that Trump had specifically requested a "big, beautiful" battleship design, alongside dozens of support and transport ships.
US Navy faces shipbuilding gap with China
Officials have repeatedly warned that the US lags behind China in both shipbuilding capacity and total naval output. Over 60% of global ship orders this year went to Chinese yards, while the US Navy's small surface combatant inventory is reportedly a third of what is needed.
"We need more capable blue-water small combatants to close the gap and keep our [destroyers] focused on the high-end fight," said Chief of Naval Operations Daryl Caudle in a video statement.
Recent setbacks and broader naval expansion
The announcement follows the cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program in 2025 due to delays and cost overruns, with only two ships delivered after $2 billion in spending. Earlier this month, the Navy also unveiled a new fleet based on the Coast Guard's Legend-class National Security Cutter.
Trump has prioritized reviving US shipbuilding since returning to office in January, citing the industry's decline. In October, the US signed a deal with Finland to purchase 11 icebreakers, seven of which will be built domestically with Finnish expertise.
Geopolitical tensions drive naval buildup
The expansion comes as US naval and air assets surge in the Caribbean amid rising tensions with Venezuela. Since September, the US has conducted strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in at least 100 deaths. Trump claimed the operations saved "thousands of American lives," though critics argue the attacks may violate international law.
