In an exciting announcement, President Donald Trump revealed plans for a new class of battleships, which he’s calling the Navy’s “Golden Fleet.” According to him, these ships will be the fastest, largest, and incredibly — 100 times — more potent than any battleship ever constructed.
“We’re launching the Golden Fleet for the United States Navy. We really need these vessels. So many of our ships have become outdated and no longer viable for modern maritime challenges,” Trump stated.
As commander-in-chief, Trump expressed his pride in approving the initiative to begin constructing two brand new oversized battleships, the most massive we’ve ever had. “We used to have significant ships like Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Alabama, but these new vessels will be bigger and retain an astonishing level of power — 100 times that of their predecessors,” he added.
Trump introduced two prototype battleships but noted the administration’s vision to eventually build 20 to 25 of them.
Historically, battleships, while a prominent class of warship, went out of active service by the early 1990s. Currently, no official cost estimates for the ships have been provided by the Pentagon. When queried, they directed reporters to the Navy, which stated that cost details are still being finalized.
A spokesperson for the Navy informed that ongoing design studies aim to fine-tune estimates for building these ships.
Retired Navy Adm. Mark Montgomery, now with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted he believes the initial battleship’s total cost — encompassing design, construction, and deployment — could easily surpass $10 billion.
Trump emphasized that even though the Navy would spearhead the project, he plans to consult on it personally, saying, “I have a strong artistic vision for these ships.”
Moreover, he highlighted the advanced offensive capabilities these vessels will include. “Expect hypersonic weapons, cutting-edge electric rail guns, and high-powered lasers that you’ve probably heard about lately. We’ve developed lasers that can obliterate targets in an instant. The most advanced lasers in the world will be part of our battleships,” he exclaimed.
As he spoke, renderings displaying the “Trump Class” battleships, imbued with the featured systems and weaponry, surrounded the president.
However, Montgomery voiced concern, labeling the focus on building this large type of ship as misguided. “These battleships aren’t what the Navy truly needs. A more effective approach would involve a diversified fleet with weaponry distributed among numerous minimally staffed vessels to meet modern maritime threats, particularly with relations to China,” he remarked in an email.
A U.S. official informed ABC News that this upcoming battleship aims to be the most powerful surface warship ever designed, claiming it would carry more firepower than the planned next-generation DDG(X) destroyer.
Part of this so-called Golden Fleet initiative by the Trump administration, the new battleships aim to revitalize the domestic shipbuilding industry.
In addition to this battleship class, Trump also noted that the Navy is in the process of manufacturing “three large aircraft carriers” and “12 to 15 new submarines,” alongside upgrades for Navy bases where sailors are stationed.
Trump added that he’ll consult with military contractors, urging them to set up new production facilities and rethink manufacturing timelines while also discussing corporate governance choices such as stock repurchases.
Additionally, he hinted at ‘warrior dividend’ checks, referring to funds allocated by Congress for housing needs.
“Instead of buying back their stock, I want them to invest that money into their factories. We need swift production on these aircraft — immediately,” Trump insisted.
When questioned about the timeline for the first ship’s launch, he confidently stated that it should happen within the next two and a half years.
Another report sought clarification on whether these ships were specifically intended to counter China, but Trump clarified they were designed as a deterrence against “anyone.”
Contributions to this piece were made by ABC News’ Luis Martinez and Anne Flaherty.
