President Trump just announced the most audacious naval revival since World War II, bringing back battleships in a move that has defense experts questioning whether America is preparing for the wrong kind of war.
Story Highlights
- Trump unveils “Trump Class” battleships, starting with USS Defiant, marking first battleship construction since WWII
- 30,000-40,000 ton vessels equipped with railguns, lasers, hypersonic missiles, and nuclear weapons
- Initial two ships approved for immediate construction with 2.5-year delivery timeline
- Fleet could expand to 25 ships as centerpiece of “Golden Fleet” initiative
- Defense experts question affordability and logic of battleships in modern missile warfare
Trump’s Personal Naval Vision Becomes Reality
Donald Trump stood before mock-up images on December 22, 2025, announcing what he called ships “100 times more powerful” than anything currently afloat. The president personally involved himself in the design process, citing his “aesthetic” interests in naval architecture. This marks the first time since the 1940s that America will build vessels explicitly called battleships, breaking seven decades of Navy doctrine favoring carriers and destroyers.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the initiative as a “generational commitment to American sea power,” while Navy Secretary John Phelan promised to “make battle groups great again.” The announcement came as U.S. forces attempted to intercept a Venezuelan-linked vessel, underscoring the administration’s message about projecting strength in contested waters.
Revolutionary Weapons Systems Challenge Naval Convention
The Trump Class battleships represent a technological leap that combines traditional battleship firepower with cutting-edge weapons. These steel behemoths will mount electromagnetic railguns capable of firing projectiles at hypersonic speeds, high-powered lasers designed to “wipe out” incoming threats, and nuclear-armed missiles for strategic deterrence. Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, endorsed the design as meeting the need for larger surface combatants in future conflicts.
Trump claimed the ships would carry “undetectable” hypersonic weapons, positioning them as the ultimate deterrent for peer competitors like China and Russia. The vessels dwarf modern destroyers, weighing three to four times more than an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. This massive size allows for weapons systems that smaller ships simply cannot accommodate, potentially changing how America projects naval power.
Defense Experts Raise Critical Questions
Military analysts immediately questioned the wisdom of reviving battleships in an era dominated by precision missiles and stealth technology. The War Zone, a respected defense publication, highlighted concerns about “affordability and logic” of such massive targets in modern warfare. Critics argue that these ships, despite their armor and weapons, remain vulnerable to swarms of cheaper anti-ship missiles that adversaries can deploy.
The timing contrasts sharply with cost-cutting measures on other naval programs. The Navy’s FF(X) frigate program deliberately omits vertical launch systems to save money, producing what critics call “underarmed” vessels resembling failed Littoral Combat Ships. Yet the administration approves massive battleships that could cost billions each, raising questions about resource allocation and strategic priorities.
Golden Fleet Initiative Transforms Naval Strategy
The USS Defiant represents just the beginning of Trump’s “Golden Fleet” vision, which could eventually encompass 20-25 battleships according to some estimates. Construction will begin “almost immediately” following the recent signing of a defense authorization bill allocating $26 billion for new ships. The president’s direct involvement in design decisions breaks traditional Navy procurement protocols, but reflects his determination to leave a lasting naval legacy.
Navy officials emphasize the inspirational value these ships will provide when visiting foreign ports, projecting what Phelan called “awe and reverence” for American naval power. The battleships are designed as flagships for the 2030s and beyond, when current analysts predict intensified competition with near-peer adversaries. Whether this bold gamble on big guns and heavy armor proves visionary or misguided may determine America’s naval dominance for generations.
Sources:
The War Zone – What We Know About The Trump Class Battleship
