President Trump Announces Construction of New Battleship
The White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will commission a new guided‑missile battleship as part of a broader effort to revitalize the United States' maritime industrial base. The announcement was made during a briefing with Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, who emphasized the vessel’s role in maintaining naval superiority.
The proposed ship, slated for construction at a domestic shipyard, will incorporate the latest stealth, weapons and power‑generation technologies. Officials said the project is expected to generate thousands of jobs across the shipbuilding sector and will be funded through a combination of defense appropriations and a newly proposed maritime industrial incentive program.
Industry analysts note that the United States has not launched a new battleship class since the early 1990s, and the move signals a shift toward larger, multi‑mission platforms capable of operating in contested littoral regions. The Navy plans to integrate the vessel into existing carrier strike groups, enhancing both offensive firepower and defensive capabilities.
Secretary Mabus added that the decision aligns with the administration’s emphasis on “bringing back American maritime industrial might,” echoing the President’s earlier statements about strengthening national security through domestic production. The Department of Defense is expected to release a detailed procurement timeline within the next few weeks.
Critics in Congress have raised concerns about the program’s cost and its compatibility with the Navy’s current focus on smaller, more flexible surface combatants. However, senior defense officials argue that a modern battleship would fill a capability gap in high‑intensity conflict scenarios and serve as a deterrent against potential adversaries.
Construction is projected to begin in 2026, with the ship entering service by the early 2030s. The initiative underscores a renewed commitment to expanding the United States’ blue‑water warfighting capacity while supporting the domestic industrial base that underpins it.
