U.S. Navy’s Ambitious Plans for Trump-Class Battleships
The U.S. Navy is gearing up for an extensive naval initiative, with plans to construct 15 Trump-class battleships over the next three decades, based on a recent naval strategy release.
These new battleships will be powered by nuclear reactors and won’t serve as replacements for the existing Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, as clarified by the Navy on Monday. Rear Adm. Ben Reynolds indicated in April that the Navy is prepared to allocate $43.5 billion toward future battleship development within the next five years, according to reports from USNI News.
The Navy’s plan outlines that “nuclear-powered battleships are aimed at substantially enhancing the combat capability of the fleet, offering extended endurance, increased speed, and compatibility with advanced arsenal necessary for contemporary warfare.” It emphasizes that the primary function of these battleships will be to provide high-volume long-range strikes while serving as a resilient forward command and control hub—distinct from the role of destroyers.
Estimations hint that each Trump-class battleship could have a price tag of up to $14.5 billion, making it more costly than the $13 billion USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, as noted in the report.
Notably, the announcement about these battleships came from President Trump in December 2025. The first vessel, known as USS Defiant (BBG 1), is expected to be part of the Navy’s Golden Fleet initiative.
Furthermore, Trump’s 2027 defense budget proposes an increase of $1.5 trillion in defense spending, reflecting a notable rise of around 40% to 44%. A portion of this budget, specifically $68.5 billion, is set aside to bolster the U.S. shipbuilding sector in response to ongoing challenges, especially in light of China’s significant shipbuilding advancements.
As reported by Fortune magazine, the inaugural Trump battleship’s construction is slated for 2036. The Navy also aims to maintain a fleet of 299 warships by 2031, though this figure falls short of the 355-ship requirement outlined in the new shipbuilding strategy.
