MAR-A-LAGO, FL – President Donald Trump has officially unveiled a sweeping naval expansion program centered on the development of the “Trump-class” battleship. Speaking from his Florida estate, the President framed the “Golden Fleet” plan as a necessary revival of American industrial might and a critical update to what he described as an “obsolete” U.S. Navy.
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The centerpiece of the plan is the construction of massive, heavily armed surface vessels designed to serve as the Navy’s new flagships. Trump confirmed that he has already approved the immediate construction of the first two vessels, with a long-term goal of building a fleet of 20 to 25 ships.
Key Technical Specifications:
- Displacement: 30,000 to 40,000 tons.
- Armament: A hybrid of traditional heavy naval guns and modern nuclear-capable missile systems.
- Timeline: A highly ambitious goal to deliver the first two ships within 30 months.
- Flagship: The first vessel in the class is to be named the USS Defiant.
Strategic Objectives: “Peace Through Strength”
While the announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the President maintained that the buildup is not targeted at any single nation. Instead, he characterized it as a universal deterrent.
“It’s a counter to everybody,” Trump stated. “We just want peace through strength.”
The Golden Fleet initiative also includes the expansion of smaller, agile frigate classes to complement these larger “Trump-class” battleships, ensuring a multi-layered naval presence.
Industrial Reform and Contractor Scrutiny
In a significant shift for defense procurement, the President signaled a “get tough” approach with the private sector. He criticized current defense industry practices for being slow and prohibitively expensive.
- Executive Accountability: Trump plans to meet with defense CEOs next week to address cost overruns and delays.
- Financial Scrutiny: The administration will review whether corporate practices—such as share buybacks and executive dividends—are being prioritized over production targets.
- Operational Efficiency: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan are tasked with streamlining the manufacturing process to ensure “faster production and lower costs.”
