- the president outlined a broader maritime vision tagged the “Golden Fleet,” which he said would reinforce America’s command
- He further disclosed that the planned fleet would feature state-of-the-art innovations, including artificial intelligence systems
- According to the president, work on the first set of ships would commence immediately, with the lead vessel to be christened the USS Defiant
United States President Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious proposal to introduce a new generation of warships he described as a “Trump-class,” projecting them as more advanced, faster and vastly more powerful than any naval vessels previously produced by the country.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the announcement was made at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where the president outlined a broader maritime vision tagged the “Golden Fleet,” which he said would reinforce America’s command of the seas and strengthen its naval reach across the globe.
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Standing beside visual designs of the proposed vessels, Trump said the new battleships would surpass older models in both scale and strength, insisting they would deliver unmatched force and capability.
According to him, the ships would represent a major leap in naval warfare unlike anything seen before in US history.
He further disclosed that the planned fleet would feature state-of-the-art innovations, including artificial intelligence systems and advanced energy-based weapons.
The ships are also expected to be equipped with hypersonic missiles, nuclear-capable cruise missiles and electromagnetic rail guns, technologies that are still undergoing development within the US Navy.
Trump stressed that the initiative was not targeted at any single nation, describing it instead as a universal deterrent. He revealed that construction would begin with two vessels, with room for expansion to as many as 10, and potentially up to 25 ships, depending on future decisions.
According to the president, work on the first set of ships would commence immediately, with the lead vessel to be christened the USS Defiant. He and Navy Secretary John Phelan both portrayed the Trump-class ships as a modern evolution of the heavily armoured battleships that once dominated naval combat in the 20th century.
Historically, battleships played a central role during the Second World War, with the Iowa-class vessels weighing about 60,000 tonnes.
However, their relevance declined in the post-war era as aircraft carriers and missile technology became the backbone of modern naval strategy.
Trump drew inspiration from the Great White Fleet commissioned under former President Theodore Roosevelt, referencing it as a symbol of American maritime strength. He also cited classic wartime documentaries, noting that the proposed fleet would help preserve US military dominance.
Information published on the Golden Fleet’s newly launched website suggests the guided missile battleships would be similar in size to the Iowa-class ships but significantly lighter, weighing about 35,000 tonnes.
They are also expected to operate with smaller crews, estimated between 650 and 850 personnel, and rely primarily on missile systems rather than traditional heavy guns.
Beyond the ships themselves, Trump said the naval expansion would be accompanied by increased scrutiny of defence contractors.
He disclosed plans to meet with major defence companies to address delays, cost overruns and production setbacks, while questioning executive pay structures, stock buybacks and dividend policies that he believes may be hindering output.
The president warned that excessive executive compensation would no longer be tolerated if it continued to affect the timely delivery of critical military hardware, including fighter jets and other defence assets.
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