President Donald Trump announced the construction of a new heavily armed warship class named "Trump-class," highlighting it as the largest and most powerful warship the U.S. has ever had. This is part of the newly upgraded "Golden Fleet." He also declared firmly that he will restore the U.S. as a shipbuilding superpower to dominate naval supremacy worldwide.
On Monday (22 Dec) at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, President Donald Trump made headlines by announcing plans to build a new warship class bearing his own name. Normally, naming warships after leaders is done to honor those who have left office.
Trump stated that initially two "Trump" class ships will be built, with potential for many more in the future. He described them as "the surface warships with the highest destructive power" and "the largest warships in the country's history."
Construction of the "USS Defiant," a Trump-class warship equipped with various weapons, is expected to begin soon. Trump said these ships will be operational within two and a half years. The vessels will displace approximately 30,000 to 40,000 tons, larger than current destroyers and cruisers, but slightly smaller than the historical Iowa-class battleships. They will carry artillery, missiles, and advanced weapons under development such as lasers and hypersonic missiles. Additionally, these ships will be capable of launching sea-launched cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads.
Having previously criticized the design of past U.S. warships, Trump confirmed he will personally collaborate with the Navy on the design, citing that he is "someone who values aesthetics greatly." When asked if these ships are meant to counterbalance China, Trump declined to specify, saying, "It is to counterbalance everyone, not just China. We have a good relationship with China."
This announcement comes amid concerns that the U.S. is falling behind China in warship numbers. A report to the U.S. Congress earlier this year noted China's shipbuilding rate is alarmingly rapid.
John Felan, Secretary of the Navy, stated that some parts of the Constellation-class corvette program were canceled and reviewed, shifting focus to new plans aimed at strengthening larger warships.
"We will make America a shipbuilding superpower again," Trump concluded. "We will ensure the U.S. Navy remains the most powerful in the world for a long time, with these warships playing a key role in leading the way."
/Source/BBC