Proposal sent by the Pentagon is among the largest of the post-Korean War era and envisages submarines, destroyers, amphibious ships, logistical means and support vessels under the concept of the so-called Golden Fleet.
The Pentagon submitted a request for fiscal year 2027 US$65.8 billion focused on naval construction, in a US$1.5 trillion national security package divided between a base budget and additional resources via reconciliation. Within this total, the United States Navy seeks US$60.2 billion in the base budget and another US$5.6 billion through the budget reconciliation mechanism.
According to the budget documents of the White Housethe plan is part of a broader strategy to reinforce the American maritime presence and supports the concept of the so-called Golden Fleet.
The official text states that the 2027 budget includes US$65.8 billion for naval construction, with the forecast for the acquisition of 18 battle force ships and 16 non-battle force ships, in addition to initial resources for new programs, including a future Trump-class battleship and new generation frigates.
In values adjusted for inflation, the new request is seen as the second largest budget proposed for naval construction since 1955, behind only 1962, a period marked by the US Navy’s effort to expand its force of nuclear submarines launching ballistic missiles in the “41 for Freedom” program.
The White House summary documentation further states that the 2027 proposal seeks 41 vessels across the federal government, but without detailing all classes by agency. In another section, the material specifies 18 combat ships and 16 non-combat naval ships, totaling 34 vessels linked to the naval effort. The remainder involves resources for other agencies, such as the Army, Coast Guard, National Science Foundation and National Park Service.
According to the details released by Pentagon documents and reported by the specialized press, the list intended by the Navy includes two Virginia-class attack submarinesa Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, an FF(X) frigate, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport ship, and an America-class amphibious assault ship.
The package also provides six medium landing ships Megan McClung-class submarines, two AS(X) submarine support ships, two John Lewis-class replenishers, one special mission vessel, one T-AGOS ocean surveillance vessel, one strategic transport vessel, one bulk fuel tanker, one T-AH(X), one used transport vessel, four ship-to-shore connectors, five fire boats and two service life extension programs for LCAC.
If approved by Congress, the request will represent one of the biggest boosts to US military shipbuilding in decades, focusing not only on combat assets, but also on logistics, hospital, surveillance and force projection support ships.
The proposal also signals the government’s attempt Trump to simultaneously expand the capacity of the fleet and the country’s maritime industrial base.
Source: news.usni.org .This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
