US President Donald J. Trump has announced plans to build a new class of American-designed battleships. The announcement was made on 22 December 2025 in the presence of Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

The first vessel of the new class will be named USS Defiant (BBG 1). It will be the lead ship of the Trump class battleships, which US officials say are designed to deliver more firepower across the fleet than any other surface combatant currently planned by any navy.

According to the US Navy, the Trump class will become a central part of the Golden Fleet initiative, which aims to strengthen naval power by combining existing advanced weapons with future technologies.

Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan said the President has repeatedly highlighted the importance of restoring America’s maritime industrial strength and ensuring sailors are equipped with the most capable ships possible.

According to the Navy, the Trump class battleships will be roughly three times larger than an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

Their size is expected to allow for substantially larger missile magazines and the ability to launch Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles as well as nuclear-capable surface-launched cruise missiles.

The Navy stated that the ships will be capable of operating alongside Carrier Strike Groups in an Integrated Air and Missile Defence role, while also being able to command independent Surface Action Groups.

Their tasks will include surface warfare, anti-submarine operations, long-range hypersonic strikes and acting as a central command-and-control platform for fleet operations.

The Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Daryl Caudle, said the Navy requires a larger surface combatant to meet future operational demands. He said that the Trump class battleships are expected to help deter threats and ensure the Navy remains effective in the 2030s and beyond.

The battleships will be acquired through a Navy-led, industry-collaborative design team approach, aimed at accelerating design and construction timelines.

The programme is expected to involve more than 1,000 suppliers across nearly every US state, supporting domestic shipbuilding and defence manufacturing.

At the same time, the Navy confirmed it will continue building DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers as its main fleet workhorse and will proceed with the development of the FF(X) frigate.

Reference: US Navy