Trump Announces Ambitious Plans for New Class of Battleships to Boost US Naval Power

Major Naval Expansion Unveiled

Washington: President Donald Trump has revealed plans to initiate the construction of a new fleet of enormous battleships, aiming to enhance the United States' shipbuilding capabilities, bolster deterrence, and reclaim military dominance.

During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated, "I am honored to announce that I have approved a plan for the Navy to commence building two of the largest battleships ever constructed."

Accompanied by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Navy Secretary John Phelan, Trump emphasized that this initiative would lay the groundwork for a new 'Golden Fleet.'

"These ships will be the fastest, largest, and significantly more powerful than any battleship previously built," he asserted.

The President highlighted that these new vessels would surpass the historic Iowa-class battleships and would be designed specifically for naval warfare, equipped with advanced missile systems, hypersonic weapons, cutting-edge targeting technology, and lasers, along with the capability to launch nuclear-armed cruise missiles.

"These will be among the most formidable surface warfare ships," he noted, indicating that they would spearhead a revival of US maritime strength and shipbuilding.

Construction is set to begin "almost immediately," with an estimated timeline of 2.5 years, and the Navy anticipates a future fleet of 20 to 25 of these battleships.

"We will start with two and quickly expand to ten," Trump explained. "Ultimately, we envision a total of 20 to 25 of these vessels."

He framed this initiative as both a military and industrial endeavor, asserting it would revitalize American shipyards, generate thousands of jobs, and restore domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The new battleships are expected to displace between 30,000 and 40,000 tons and will be constructed in US shipyards, while the administration encourages defense contractors to prioritize production and reinvest profits into facilities rather than executive bonuses or stock buybacks.

"We want the profits to be reinvested in production facilities," Trump stated. "I don’t want them to buy back their stock. I want them to invest in plant and equipment to expedite the construction of these ships."

Hegseth remarked that this announcement signifies a generational shift in American defense strategy, linking naval expansion to border security, counter-narcotics initiatives, and global deterrence.

"This new class represents a long-term commitment to American sea power," he added, asserting that these investments would restore the 'warrior ethos' within the Department of Defence.

Navy Secretary Phelan described the future 'Trump-class' battleship as the "largest, deadliest, and most versatile warship on the world's oceans," designed to deliver overwhelming offensive capabilities and command naval forces over vast distances.

He noted that these ships would restore the role of battleships as flagship vessels capable of leading forces ranging from warships to drones.

Rubio characterized the announcement as part of a broader strategy to rebuild US industrial strength and ensure freedom of navigation, stating, "The US Navy is the greatest source of peace globally," and calling the shipbuilding initiative a clear demonstration of American industrial capacity.

Trump dismissed claims that the battleships were targeted at any specific nation, asserting, "It’s a counter to everyone. It’s not just China." He emphasized that the objective is deterrence through strength, adding, "Hopefully, we will never need to deploy them."

This announcement comes amid ongoing concerns within the US defense community regarding diminishing shipyard capacity, aging fleets, and competition from China's rapidly growing navy.

The US Navy has not commissioned a new battleship since the mid-1990s, relying instead on aircraft carriers, submarines, and smaller surface vessels.

Historically, battleships played a crucial role in World War II and served as symbols of American naval power, although advancements in missile and submarine warfare have gradually diminished their significance.