U.S. President Donald Trump Trump announced a plan to develop a new large surface combatant for the United States Navy, calling it a “battleship.” The plan plans to build a so-called Trump Class, and its first ship is expected to be named USS Defiant.
According to the president, the proposed USS Defiant would be the largest U.S. surface combatant since World War II, surpassing all cruiser and destroyer classes currently in service with the U.S. Navy.
The announcement was made during a briefing at the library of Trump’s private estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, with attendees including U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Trump. Pete Hegseth (Pete Hegseth) and Secretary of State Marco. Marco Rubio.
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Trump said the new ships are expected to replace the current Navy fleet, which he described as “old, worn and obsolete.” The Trump-class ships will become part of the future “Golden Fleet”, designed to strengthen U.S. maritime power in response to China and other potential adversaries, while also reflecting the president’s emphasis on aesthetic standards.
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“The United States Armed Forces will be involved with me in the design process of these ships because I take aesthetics very seriously,” Trump said.
The president pointed out that the new “battleship” will be equipped with a wide range of advanced weapons systems, including next-generation missiles, hypersonic weapons, electromagnetic railguns (railguns), cruise missiles, and “the world’s most advanced laser weapons.” Trump also said that the displacement of these ships is estimated to be between 30,000 and 40,000 tons, and they will all be built in domestic shipyards in the United States.
Another focus is on the use of emerging technologies. Trump said that the Trump-class ships will be “controlled by artificial intelligence,” but did not further explain the degree of automation or how the relevant systems will be used in actual combat.
The initial plan includes the construction of two Trump-class ships, followed by eight more in subsequent phases. Trump said that 20 to 25 ships will eventually be ordered, saying that they will become “the new flagship of the U.S. Navy.”
“They will help maintain U.S. military superiority, revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry, and deter America’s adversaries around the world,” the president concluded.
Source and image: Naval Sea Systems Command | U.S. Naval Institute X @NavalInstitute. This content is produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
