President Donald Trump has announced the introduction of a new class of Navy battleships, referred to as the "Trump class," during a press event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.This initiative is part of a larger effort known as the "Golden Fleet," aimed at modernizing the US Navy and enhancing its capabilities in response to global threats, particularly from nations like China.
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cnn.combbc.comDuring the announcement, Trump emphasized the need for new battleships, stating that the current fleet is "old and tired and obsolete." He described the new vessels as "the largest battleships in the history of our country, the largest battleships in the history of the world, ever built." The president indicated that the Navy would initially construct two of these ships, with plans to expand the fleet to a total of 20 to 25 vessels.
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cbsnews.comabcnews.go.comThe "Trump class" battleships are expected to be equipped with advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, electric rail guns, and sophisticated laser systems.Trump claimed that these ships would be "100 times more powerful" than any previous battleship, highlighting their potential to dominate naval warfare.
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bbc.comabcnews.go.comDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan joined Trump during the announcement, reinforcing the administration's commitment to revitalizing the US shipbuilding industry.Phelan described the future USS Defiant, the first ship in the class, as "the largest, deadliest, and most versatile warship anywhere on the world's oceans." He noted that the construction of these battleships would create thousands of jobs across the country.
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news.usni.orgcbsnews.comThe new battleships will weigh between 30,000 and 40,000 tons, significantly larger than the current Zumwalt-class destroyers, which weigh 15,000 tons.The design process will be led by the US Navy, with Trump stating that he would be actively involved due to his interest in aesthetics.
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cnn.comnews.usni.orgConstruction is expected to begin soon, with the first vessels projected to be operational within two and a half years.The announcement comes amid a broader naval buildup in the Caribbean, where the US has been increasing its presence in response to tensions with Venezuela.
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bbc.comcbsnews.comWhile the specifics of the battleship's cost remain unclear, estimates suggest that building each ship could range from $10 to $15 billion, depending on the systems included.
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abcnews.go.comThe Trump administration's push for a new fleet of battleships is seen as a response to concerns that the US currently lags behind China in naval capabilities.
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bbc.comnews.usni.orgCritics of the initiative have raised concerns about the practicality of building such large vessels, arguing that the Navy would benefit more from a distributed fleet of smaller, more versatile ships.However, Trump and his administration maintain that the "Trump class" battleships will provide a critical advantage in modern naval warfare.
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abcnews.go.comAs the US Navy embarks on this ambitious project, the focus will be on ensuring that the new battleships not only meet the aesthetic standards set by Trump but also fulfill the operational requirements necessary to maintain American military supremacy.
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cnn.comcbsnews.comThe unveiling of the "Trump class" battleships marks a significant moment in US naval history, potentially reshaping the future of maritime defense and the role of the Navy in global security.
