In a groundbreaking announcement at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, President Trump unveiled an ambitious plan for the U.S. Navy to construct a new, large warship, which he has dubbed a battleship. This initiative is part of a larger vision to establish a Golden Fleet, designed to be the fastest and most formidable naval force in history. Trump confidently stated that these ships would be "100 times more powerful" than any battleship ever built.
The flagship of this new fleet, named the USS Defiant, is expected to surpass the length and size of the iconic World War II-era Iowa-class battleships. Equipped with cutting-edge armaments including hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, rail guns, and high-powered lasers, the USS Defiant aims to incorporate advanced technologies that are currently under development by the Navy.
This announcement follows a recent setback for the Navy, which scrapped plans for a new, smaller warship due to significant delays and cost overruns. Instead, the Navy opted for a modified version of a Coast Guard cutter, which had been in production until recently. Additionally, the Navy has encountered difficulties in delivering other newly designed ships, including the Ford-class aircraft carrier and Columbia-class submarines, on schedule and within budget.
Despite Trump's ambitious claims regarding the USS Defiant, the Navy has faced challenges in implementing some of the technologies he mentioned. For instance, the Navy invested hundreds of millions of dollars and over 15 years attempting to deploy a railgun on ships before ultimately abandoning the project in 2021. Although laser technology has seen more successful applications on Navy vessels in recent years, its deployment remains limited. Currently, a system designed to blind or disable drone sensors is operational on eight destroyers after eight years of development.
Furthermore, the prospect of developing nuclear cruise missile capabilities poses complications, as deploying such weapons on ships may contravene non-proliferation treaties signed by the U.S. and Russia. A U.S. official, who requested anonymity, informed the Associated Press that design efforts for the USS Defiant are already in progress, with construction slated to commence in the early 2030s.
Both Trump and Navy Secretary John Phelan regard the new Trump-class warship as a spiritual successor to the legendary battleships of the 20th century. However, it is important to note that the term "battleship" traditionally refers to large, heavily armored vessels equipped with powerful guns, predominantly used during World War II. The largest U.S. battleships, the Iowa-class, weighed approximately 60,000 tons. After WWII, the significance of battleships diminished, giving way to aircraft carriers and long-range missile systems.
According to information from a newly launched website dedicated to the Golden Fleet, the USS Defiant is projected to be roughly the same size as the Iowa-class battleships but will weigh around 35,000 tons—almost half as much. The crew size is also expected to be smaller, consisting of between 650 and 850 sailors, with a primary focus on missile systems rather than traditional naval guns.
Trump has consistently expressed his opinions on various aspects of the Navy's fleet, often advocating for the retention of older technologies over modernization. During his first term, he controversially pushed for the reinstatement of steam-powered catapults for aircraft carriers, despite the more modern electromagnetic systems currently in use. He has also raised concerns with Phelan about the aesthetic condition of Navy ships, particularly addressing issues of rust. Phelan recounted that Trump frequently contacted him late at night regarding the appearance of ships, emphasizing his desire for aesthetic improvements.
On a visit to a shipyard working on the now-canceled Constellation-class frigate in 2020, Trump took it upon himself to change the ship's design, insisting, "That's a terrible-looking ship, let's make it beautiful." He reiterated his intention to play a significant role in the design of the new USS Defiant, stating, "The U.S. Navy will lead the design of these ships along with me, because I'm a very aesthetic person."
As the Navy moves forward with the development of the USS Defiant, both Trump and Phelan believe that this new guided missile battleship will evoke awe and reverence for the American flag whenever it enters a foreign port. The ambitious plans for the Golden Fleet signify a transformative period for the U.S. Navy, as they strive to adapt and innovate in an ever-evolving global landscape.