In a surprising announcement at his Mar-a-Lago resort, President Donald Trump unveiled plans for a new, large warship he calls a “battleship” as part of a broader vision to create a “Golden Fleet.”
Trump’s Bold Vision for a New Battleship
During the event, Trump declared, “They’ll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built,” highlighting the ship’s intended superiority over existing vessels. The president said the first ship would be named the USS Defiant and would surpass the World War II-era Iowa-class battleships in length and overall size. He added that the warship would carry hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, rail guns, and high-powered lasers-technologies that are currently in various stages of development by the Navy. Trump’s description frames the new vessel as a spiritual successor to the 20th-century battleships, though the term historically refers to heavily armored ships armed with massive guns.
The USS Defiant: Size, Armament, and Design
A newly created website for the Golden Fleet claims the guided-missile battleship will be roughly the same size as Iowa-class battleships but will weigh about half as much-around 35,000 tons. The projected crew would range from 650 to 850 sailors, far fewer than the 60,000-ton ships of the past. The primary weapons are projected to be missiles rather than large naval guns, with hypersonic and nuclear cruise missiles at the forefront. Trump said the design would be led by the Navy in partnership with him, adding, “The U.S. Navy will lead the design of these ships along with me, because I’m a very aesthetic person.”
Navy’s Current Challenges with Advanced Weapons
The Navy has struggled to field several of the technologies Trump claims will be aboard the USS Defiant. A railgun program, which lasted more than 15 years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, was abandoned in 2021 after the Navy failed to achieve a ship-mounted system. Laser technology has made limited progress; a system designed to blind or disable drone sensors is now aboard eight destroyers after eight years of development. Developing nuclear cruise missile capabilities or deploying them on ships may also violate non-proliferation treaties that the U.S. has signed with Russia. These challenges illustrate the gap between the envisioned capabilities and the Navy’s current technical readiness.
Political and Legal Implications
A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing plans, told The Associated Press that design efforts are now underway for the new ship and construction is planned to begin in the early 2030s. The inclusion of nuclear cruise missiles raises questions about treaty compliance, as the U.S. has signed agreements with Russia that could be violated by deploying such weapons on warships. Trump’s emphasis on advanced weapons also reflects his broader stance on the Navy’s fleet, including past calls for steam-powered catapults and criticism of destroyer aesthetics and rust.
Design and Construction Timeline
According to the anonymous official, the Navy will begin construction of the USS Defiant in the early 2030s, following design work that is already in progress. The announcement follows the Navy’s recent decision to scrap plans for a new, small warship after a month of delays and cost overruns, opting instead for a modified Coast Guard cutter that had been in production until recently. The Navy has also struggled to deliver its Ford-class aircraft carriers and Columbia-class submarines on time and within budget.
Trump’s Aesthetic Influence
Trump has long expressed opinions on the appearance of Navy vessels. During a 2020 visit to a shipyard working on the now-canceled Constellation-class frigate, he said, “I looked at it, I said, ‘That’s a terrible-looking ship, let’s make it beautiful,'” and claimed he would personally influence the new warship’s design. He has complained to Secretary of the Navy John Phelan about the look of destroyers and the prevalence of rust on ships. Phelan told senators at his confirmation hearing that Trump “has texted me numerous times very late at night, sometimes after one (o’clock) in the morning” about “rusty ships or ships in a yard, asking me what am I doing about it.”
Phelan’s Vision for the USS Defiant
Secretary Phelan said the new USS Defiant “will inspire awe and reverence for the American flag whenever it pulls into a foreign port,” emphasizing the symbolic importance of the vessel. He also noted that the Navy would lead the design process in partnership with Trump, reflecting the president’s stated aesthetic priorities.
The Historical Context of Battleships
The term battleship historically refers to a large, heavily armored vessel armed with massive guns designed to bombard other ships or shore targets. The Iowa-class, the largest U.S. battleships, weighed roughly 60,000 tons. After World War II, the battleship’s role declined rapidly in favor of aircraft carriers and long-range missiles. The Navy modernized four Iowa-class ships in the 1980s by adding cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, and modern radars, but all four were decommissioned by the 1990s.
The Golden Fleet Website Claims
The Golden Fleet website presents the guided-missile battleship as roughly the same size as Iowa-class battleships but only about 35,000 tons in weight. It also states that the ship will carry a smaller crew, between 650 and 850 sailors. The website emphasizes that the primary weapons will be missiles rather than large naval guns.
Trump’s Long-Standing Opinions on Navy Modernization
Trump’s comments about the Navy’s fleet have included a call for steam-powered catapults on new carriers, a preference for older technology over modern electromagnetic launch systems, and criticism of the appearance and condition of current destroyers. These views have been cited in discussions about the new warship’s design and aesthetic direction.
Key Takeaways
- Trump announced a new battleship, the USS Defiant, as part of a Golden Fleet vision.
- The ship is claimed to be faster, bigger, and 100 times more powerful than any previous battleship.
- The Navy faces significant technical challenges with railguns, lasers, and nuclear cruise missiles.
- Design work is underway, with construction slated for the early 2030s.
- Trump’s aesthetic preferences will influence the ship’s final design.
The announcement underscores the tension between Trump’s ambitious naval vision and the Navy’s current technical and budgetary realities. While the president promises a formidable new warship, the practical hurdles and treaty considerations remain significant obstacles to realizing the Golden Fleet concept.
