What's happened
President Trump revealed plans for a new 'Golden Fleet' of battleships, claiming they will be 100 times more powerful than any before, armed with advanced technology like lasers and railguns. The ships aim to counter China and modernize the Navy, with construction beginning early 2030s.
What's behind the headline?
Trump’s push for a new 'Golden Fleet' signifies a strategic shift towards large, heavily armed ships that emphasize technological prowess. The claims of ships being '100 times more powerful' are likely exaggerated, but the emphasis on lasers, railguns, and hypersonic missiles indicates a focus on cutting-edge weaponry. This move may serve political purposes, showcasing a renewed American naval strength, but faces practical challenges: the Navy’s past struggles with deploying advanced tech like railguns and lasers suggest these ships may not be as revolutionary as claimed. The emphasis on aesthetics and personal involvement by Trump could also politicize naval procurement, risking cost overruns and delays. Overall, this initiative aims to project power and prestige, but its real-world impact depends on technological feasibility and budget execution.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Trump’s announcement at Mar-a-Lago emphasized the ships' unprecedented size and power, with claims of futuristic weaponry. The Wall Street Journal details the ships’ intended role to replace destroyers and their estimated $5 billion cost each, highlighting the technological ambitions and delays in other Navy projects. The NY Post notes the ships’ design as a modern successor to WWII battleships, with a focus on missile armament rather than traditional guns. Business Insider UK discusses the Navy’s past struggles with deploying railguns and laser tech, raising questions about the feasibility of Trump’s claims. These sources collectively reveal a mix of ambitious rhetoric and practical challenges facing the new fleet’s development.
How we got here
The announcement follows ongoing US efforts to modernize its naval fleet amid rising tensions with China and delays in other shipbuilding projects. Previous plans for new frigates and submarines faced delays and cost overruns, prompting a shift toward larger, more technologically advanced ships. Trump’s focus on aesthetics and traditional battleship design reflects a desire to revive a historically iconic vessel, though modern naval strategy favors missile and aircraft carrier dominance.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What Are Trump’s Plans for New Battleships?
Former President Donald Trump has announced ambitious plans to develop a new class of battleships called the USS Defiant, aiming to modernize the U.S. Navy’s fleet. These ships are expected to be heavily armed with advanced missile systems and futuristic technology, marking a significant shift in naval power. But what exactly are these ships, and how will they change naval warfare? Below, we explore the key questions about Trump’s 'Golden Fleet' battleships and what they mean for the future of naval power.
More on these topics
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States.
-
Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American government official and former television personality who has served as the 29th United States secretary of defense since 2025.
Hegseth studied politics at Princeton University, where he was the publi
-
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is a United States Navy class of destroyer built around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multifunction passive electronically scanned array radar.
-
Marco Antonio Rubio is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Florida. A Republican, Rubio previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.