In a major defence announcement, President Donald Trump revealed plans to develop a new class of U.S. Navy battleships dubbed the “Trump-class” as part of a broader “Golden Fleet” naval expansion strategy. The initiative, unveiled on December 22, 2025, would mark the first construction of large surface combatants of this type since World War II and aims to give the U.S. unprecedented maritime firepower and presence.
The first of these vessels — the USS Defiant — will be the lead ship, with plans to start constructing two immediately and potentially expand to as many as 20–25 ships over time. These warships are being described as larger, faster, and equipped with advanced weapons including hypersonic missiles, high-powered lasers, electronic railguns, and even nuclear-armed cruise missiles. Trump said the class would be “100 times more powerful” than earlier U.S. battleships.
Critics have questioned the strategic value and cost of revisiting battleship-style platforms in an era dominated by aircraft carriers, submarines, and distributed missile forces. The naming of the class after a sitting president represents a departure from longstanding U.S. naval traditions that typically name large warships after states or historic figures.
The announcement comes amid broader efforts to address shipbuilding delays and capacity gaps, particularly in light of rising global naval competition. Supporters argue the plan will reinvigorate American shipyards and reinforce naval dominance, while opponents warn of ballooning budgets, technological uncertainties, and potential redundancy with existing naval systems.
