United States President Donald Trump announced a plan to develop a new type of large surface warfare vessel for the United States Navy, which he described as a “battleship.” The project envisages the creation of the so-called Trump Class, whose main ship would be called the USS Defiant.
According to the president, the proposed USS Defiant will be the largest US surface combatant ship since World War II, dwarfing all current classes of cruisers and destroyers in service with the US Navy.
The announcement was made during a presentation held in the property’s library Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, attended by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser.
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According to Trump, the new ships could replace the current fleet of the Navy, which he described as “old, worn out and outdated”. The Trump-class units would be part of a future “Golden Fleet” (Golden Fleet), designed to strengthen the naval capacity of the United States in the face of China and other potential adversaries, while also reflecting the aesthetic standards appreciated by the president.
“In developing the design of these ships, the United States Armed Forces will be involved with me because I really appreciate the aesthetics,” Trump said.
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The new “warships,” according to the president, will be equipped with a wide range of advanced weaponry, including state-of-the-art missiles, hypersonic weapons, electromagnetic railguns, cruise missiles and “the world’s most advanced lasers.” Trump also stated that the ships will have an estimated displacement of between 30,000 and 40,000 tons and will be built entirely in American shipyards.
Another aspect highlighted was the use of emerging technologies. According to Trump, the Trump-class ships would be “controlled by artificial intelligence”, although no further technical details were provided regarding the level of automation or the operational use of these systems.
The initial plan calls for the construction of two Trump-class ships, followed by eight more at a later stage. In total, Trump said he plans to order between 20 and 25 units, which he said will act as the new “flagship ships of the United States Navy.”
“They will help maintain America’s military superiority, revitalize America’s shipbuilding industry, and strike fear into America’s enemies around the world,” the president concluded.
Source and images: Naval Sea Systems Command | U.S. Naval Institute X @NavalInstitute. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
