US President Donald Trump unveils the Trump-class warships, described as the largest and most lethal surface combatants in American history.
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.
Trump stated two ships will be built initially, with the potential for more, calling them “some of the most lethal surface warfare ships”.
He described them as “the largest battleship in the history of our country,” with a displacement between 30,000 and 40,000 tons.
The warships will be armed with missiles, guns, and future weaponry like lasers and hypersonic missiles.
Trump confirmed the vessels will be capable of carrying nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles.
When asked if the ships counter China, Trump replied, “It’s a counter to everybody, it’s not China.”
He added, “We get along great with China,” declining to specify a single adversary.
The president said he would be personally involved in the design process with the Navy.
“I’m a very aesthetic person,” Trump stated, having previously complained about the appearance of US ships.
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 new frigate is targeted for launch by 2028.
This comes after the Navy canceled four of six planned Constellation-class frigates in late November.
Washington’s naval fleet size has fallen significantly behind Beijing’s in recent years.
A recent report to Congress highlighted concerns over the pace of China’s shipbuilding efforts.
“We’re going to restore America as a major shipbuilding power,” Trump declared.
He vowed to “ensure the USA has the most powerful fleet anywhere in the world”.
Trump concluded that these battleships would help lead the way “long into the future”.
