The Trump administration has announced plans to develop a new class of surface combatants, informally referred to as “battleships,” during a press conference held at President Donald Trump’s mansion in Florida. The new vessels, designated as the “Trump class,” will weigh approximately 35,000 tons, significantly larger than the current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which displace around 11,000 tons.
This ambitious project includes advanced armament features, such as 128 Mk 41 vertical-launch missile tubes, surpassing the 96 tubes found on the latest Burke-class destroyers yet fewer than the 154 available on the Navy’s SSGN guided-missile submarines. In addition to these capabilities, the proposed vessels are expected to incorporate several next-generation weapons technologies, including a 32-megajoule railgun, two 300 kW tactical lasers, and a dozen launch tubes for the under-development Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles.
Despite these ambitious plans, challenges remain regarding the integration of these technologies. The Associated Press highlighted that the Navy had previously invested hundreds of millions of dollars and over 15 years attempting to deploy a railgun aboard a ship, only to abandon the effort in 2021.
The Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, noted that construction of the new battleships will involve shipyards across all 50 states, adhering to a longstanding Navy tradition of distributing contracts to foster political support. This announcement coincides with a broader effort to modernize the United States Navy’s fleet and capabilities.
Surveillance Operations Over Nigeria and Military Sales to Denmark
In a related development, the United States has initiated surveillance flights over Nigeria, following President Trump’s threats to deploy American troops to address rising violence against Christians in the region. According to reports from Reuters, these contracted flights commenced in late November and typically operate from Ghana, before returning to base. An expert from the American Enterprise Institute confirmed that the operation appears to be utilizing an airport in Accra, which is a known logistical hub for U.S. military operations in Africa.
At the same time, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of over 230 AMRAAM-ER missiles to Denmark, valued at approximately $951 million. This sale follows a recent diplomatic dispute between Washington and Copenhagen, highlighting the ongoing complexities of U.S. military relationships with its allies.
The Pentagon has refrained from commenting on the surveillance flights over Nigeria, directing inquiries to established channels, while the approval of military sales reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment to strengthening defense partnerships globally.
As the year draws to a close, the Trump administration has faced scrutiny over its defense policies, with various reports emerging about military engagements and preparedness. Notably, a Pentagon report indicated that China has likely deployed over 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles in its silo fields, intensifying concerns regarding global military dynamics.
Overall, the developments in naval capabilities and international military relations underscore the administration’s focus on enhancing U.S. defense posture both at home and abroad, as it navigates complex geopolitical landscapes.
