US President Donald Trump unveils the Trump-class warships, described as the largest and most lethal in US history, to be built initially in pairs.
PALM BEACH: US President Donald Trump announced a new class of heavily armed warships that will bear his name.
The president revealed the Trump-class vessels at his Mar-a-Lago residence alongside Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Navy Secretary John Phelan.
Two of the ships will be built initially, with the potential for that number to grow substantially.
Trump described them as “some of the most lethal surface warfare ships” and “the largest battleship in the history of our country.”
He said the ships will displace between 30,000 and 40,000 tons and be armed with missiles, guns, and future weaponry like lasers and hypersonic missiles.
They will also be capable of carrying nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles.
When asked if the ships were a counter to China, Trump declined to specify, saying instead: “It’s a counter to everybody, it’s not China. We get along great with China.”
The Trump-class will be larger than existing US destroyers and cruisers but smaller than the retired Iowa-class battleships.
Trump noted he would be involved in the design with the Navy “because I’m a very aesthetic person.”
The announcement follows recent Navy plans for a new class of frigates, the FF(X), intended to complement larger warships.
Navy Secretary Phelan said the first of those frigates is aimed for launch by 2028.
This comes after Phelan stated in late November that four of six planned Constellation-class frigates would be canceled.
A recent report to Congress highlighted concerns over the pace of China’s shipbuilding compared to the US fleet.
“We’re going to restore America as a major shipbuilding power,” Trump said.
He added: “We’re going to ensure the USA has the most powerful fleet anywhere in the world, and long into the future, with battleships helping lead the way.”
