Quick reads
- President Donald Trump announced a new class of U.S. Navy warships called the “Trump-class.”
- The first ship will be called USS Defiant, part of the planned “Golden Fleet.”
- Ships are projected at 30,000–40,000 tons with advanced weapons like hypersonic missiles, lasers and nuclear-armed cruise missiles.
- Trump says the vessels will be larger and more powerful than current surface combatants.
- Construction will begin in the early 2030s with up to 20–25 ships planned.
Where it happened
The announcement was made on December 22, 2025, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, with top defence officials, including Secretary of the Navy John Phelan and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, present.
How it happened
Trump outlined a plan to build a new generation of battleships under his “Golden Fleet” initiative, aiming to revive U.S. shipbuilding and bolster naval capabilities. He said the Trump-class ships will be among the most advanced surface vessels ever built, with long-range missiles and high-tech systems. Phelan described the first ship, USS Defiant, as a flagship capable of leading fleets and integrating modern technologies.
What it means
The new Trump-class battleships represent a major shift in U.S. naval planning:
- They are heavily armed surface combatants meant to supplement carriers and destroyers.
- Featuring hypersonic weapons, lasers and nuclear-armed cruise missiles, they aim to enhance the Navy’s reach and firepower.
- The initiative is pitched as a way to revive domestic shipbuilding and close gaps with rival fleets.
The story
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Navy will develop a new class of large surface warships, known as the Trump-class, under a broader naval expansion plan called the Golden Fleet. The announcement was made at Mar-a-Lago on December 22, with senior defence officials backing the proposal. They described the ships as highly advanced surface combatants equipped with technologies such as hypersonic missiles, directed-energy lasers, and a future sea-launched cruise missile with nuclear capability.
The first vessel, the USS Defiant, is expected to begin construction in the early 2030s, with long-term plans to build between 20 and 25 ships. Trump said the project would strengthen domestic shipbuilding and reinforce U.S. naval dominance, though funding details and congressional approval are yet to be finalised.
Conclusion:
While the Trump-class proposal signals an ambitious push to expand U.S. naval power, its future will depend on budgetary backing, legislative support, and how the Navy integrates these ships into its existing fleet strategy.
