New Battleships to Join the U.S. Navy
On Monday, President Trump revealed plans for the construction of two new battleships by the U.S. Navy, claiming they will be “bigger, faster and 100 times more powerful” than existing vessels in the fleet.
The upcoming battleships are set to be part of what the administration has named the U.S. Golden Fleet, which was introduced last week by the Department of Defense. Renderings showcased during Trump’s announcement labeled these ships as “Trump Class,” with one designated as USS Defiant.
According to Trump, there is a pressing need for new ships as many in America’s current fleet have become outdated and ineffective.
The Trump administration aims to tackle deficiencies in U.S. shipbuilding and strengthen the domestic supply chain for naval construction.
“We haven’t built a battleship since 1993. These cutting-edge vessels will be among the most formidable surface warfare ships available,” he stated.
Trump emphasized that these new battleships would help ensure American military dominance, rejuvenate the shipbuilding industry, and instill fear in adversaries globally. “We want respect. We’re going to have it,” he asserted.
The forthcoming ships are expected to be heavily armed with missiles and traditional naval guns capable of delivering combat effects at a lower cost compared to missiles. Each vessel could weigh up to 40,000 tons and serve as a flagship for the U.S. fleet.
The battleships will also feature advanced weaponry systems such as hypersonic missiles, electric rail guns, high-powered laser systems, and nuclear-capable sea-launched cruise missiles currently under development.
Additionally, Trump announced plans for a new class of aircraft carriers that would surpass the Gerald R. Ford-class carriers currently in service; one is presently deployed in the Caribbean amid efforts against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
This announcement follows Trump’s signing of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which allocates $26 billion for shipbuilding along with $17 billion for Navy aviation procurement and $5.8 billion for Navy weapons procurement.
Recently, Trump has bolstered U.S. naval operations in Latin America; on Saturday, authorities announced seizing a second oil tanker near Venezuela’s coast while pursuing a third vessel in international waters.
The president has ordered a blockade on oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela that transport sanctioned oil.
This past March, Trump established a White House office aimed at revitalizing America’s shipbuilding sector by offering tax incentives to companies constructing vessels domestically.
