Trump Announces Development of a New Class of U.S. Battleship

Washington, D.C.; December 24th, 2025

A chapter long thought closed in naval history was reopened this week, as Donald J. Trump announced plans for the development of a new class of United States battleship, according to an official release published by Defense Department News through the U.S. Department of War.

The announcement marked a significant departure from decades of naval doctrine that emphasized aircraft carriers, submarines, and smaller surface combatants. According to the Department of War, the new battleship class is intended to restore heavy surface firepower and survivability to the fleet, drawing on lessons from both historical naval warfare and modern technological advances.

President Trump’s announcement framed the decision as part of a broader effort to strengthen naval deterrence and ensure maritime dominance. The Department stated that the new class will incorporate modern systems while reviving the battleship’s traditional role as a heavily armored, power-projection platform capable of sustained operations in contested environments.

While specific technical specifications were not disclosed, the Department indicated that the battleship design will integrate contemporary command-and-control systems, advanced sensors, and updated weapons capabilities. The intent, according to the release, is not to replicate mid-20th-century vessels, but to adapt the concept of the battleship to current and future threat landscapes.

The Department of War emphasized that the announcement represents the initiation of a development pathway rather than immediate construction. Design studies, feasibility assessments, and budgetary planning will precede any shipbuilding activity. The process will involve coordination across naval planners, shipbuilders, and defense industry partners.

Battleships last served in active U.S. Navy combat roles during the late 20th century, primarily as shore bombardment platforms. Their retirement reflected changes in warfare and cost considerations. The Department’s release acknowledged this history, noting that renewed interest in a battleship-class vessel reflects evolving assessments of survivability, firepower, and deterrence in high-end conflict scenarios.

The announcement also highlighted the symbolic weight of the battleship within American naval tradition. For much of the 20th century, battleships represented national industrial strength and maritime power. By reviving the classification, the administration signaled an intention to reconnect modern naval strategy with that legacy while pursuing contemporary capability.

The Department did not outline a timeline for further announcements, stating only that additional details would follow as studies progress. Any future development will be subject to congressional oversight and the standard defense acquisition process.

Issued through Defense Department News, the release documents a rare moment when a retired class of warship reenters strategic conversation. Whether the effort results in a vessel at sea remains to be seen, but the announcement itself marks a deliberate shift in how surface naval power is being reconsidered at the highest levels of government.

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Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF WAR, Defense Department News release titled “Trump Announces New Class of Battleship,” December 2025