Donald Trump will unveil plans for a class of battleships bearing his name at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, on December 22, 2025 - an ambitious step that marks a bold move to revitalize American shipbuilding and compete with global naval competitors.
Trump-Class Battleships Drive Golden Fleet Expansion
The Trump-class battleships will form the core of the expanded Golden Fleet, with construction starting on two vessels initially and plans to scale to 20-25 ships. Trump described them as the largest, fastest, and 100 times more powerful than prior designs, displacing over 30,000 tons and equipped with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, directed energy lasers, conventional naval guns, and nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles. The lead ship, USS Defiant, underscores the programs ambition to deliver the most lethal surface warships since the last battleship in 1994.
Navy Secretary John Phelan joined Trump for the reveal, emphasizing unprecedented firepower and tonnage under construction. He noted the vessels would feature the biggest guns ever on a US warship, with components manufactured across all 50 states to spur jobs from Philadelphia to San Diego, Maine to Mississippi, and the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast.
Trump expressed frustration over slow production schedules and cost overruns, vowing to meet with contractors to increase output. He highlighted strong steel industry resurgence by mandating six and seven inch steel hulls; further plans include including nontraditional defense partners with nontraditional weapons systems in a comprehensive bill.
Frigate Program Advances Amid Constellation Review
The Golden Fleet extends beyond battleships to include a new smaller frigate class, designated FF(X), based on an existing design from shipbuilder HII already used by the US Coast Guard. Phelan targeted the first FF(X) for delivery by 2028. This follows his late November statement canceling four of six Constellation-class frigates, with two under construction under review, aiming for more agile vessels.
President Trump stressed the need for US shipbuilding dominance by building up the fleet, noting Chinas rapid naval expansion has overtaken Washingtons efforts. A congressional report expressed alarm over Beijings shipbuilding pace, prompting Trump's pledge of the most powerful fleet worldwide.
Legislative Support Helps Spur Shipbuilding Spike
A new bill authorizes $26 billion for shipbuilding, providing the Navy flexibility in acquiring the next two aircraft carriers and five ballistic missile submarines. This funding aligns with Trumps push for nimble production, limiting contractor dividends, buybacks, and executive pay on delayed projects like the F-35.
These announcements represent a generational shift, welcoming in new partners into the ecosystem while promising work for shipyards nationwide. President Trump pledged his personal involvement with designs while prioritizing lethality and speed over aesthetics criticisms of US warship designs.