A US Navy official stated on 23/12/2023 that the service is currently developing designs and could begin construction of new warships in the early 2030s. "The US Navy is refining estimated costs, planning to include them in the fiscal year 2027 budget proposal," the official added.

An anonymous source familiar with the project also confirmed that construction of Trump-class warships cannot commence before 2030. This timeline holds even though the new warship class will leverage existing achievements from the next-generation guided-missile destroyer program, codenamed DDG(X).

President Trump announced the ship class named after him on 22/12/2023. Photo: *AFP*

President Donald Trump announced on 22/12/2023 that the United States would build a series of ships in a battleship class named after him. Although referred to as battleships by Trump, these vessels have an appearance and armament similar to large cruisers and destroyers currently being developed by many nations.

"We're going to start almost immediately and probably two and a half years," Trump responded when asked about plans to build the first two ships, though it was unclear which stage of the process he was referring to.

Following President Trump's announcement, the US Navy reported it had signed contracts with General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding.

BIW and HII Ingalls will fulfill design, engineering, and analysis requirements for the new warship, designated BBG(X). They will also assist the government design team in finalizing the overall blueprint. The estimated performance period is 72 months.

The US Navy also plans to contract Leidos Gibbs & Cox for design support related to the BBG(X) program. This company will serve as an extension of the government design team, providing specialized early-stage analysis expertise. This contract is also expected to span 72 months.

"If activities commence next year, the contract's performance period will extend until 2032," Joseph Trevithick, editor of the US military news site War Zone, stated.

Simulation of USS Defiant, the first ship of the warship class named after Trump. Graphic: *US Navy*

The Trump-class ships are expected to have a displacement of 30,000-40,000 tons and be equipped with hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic railguns, and artificial intelligence technology. President Trump declared the US Navy would acquire a total of 20-25 Trump-class ships to establish a "Golden Fleet."

A US official stated there are no specific plans for the launch date of USS Defiant, the first ship of the Trump class. Companies will require additional time to complete the vessel and conduct sea trials before the US Navy accepts and commissions it.

The US Navy admits the Trump-class warship construction program remains in its very early stages. With construction of the Defiant only able to begin after 2030, the prospect of establishing a Golden Fleet appears distant.

At the current pace, the Trump-class warship construction plan will extend across multiple US presidential and congressional terms. The program may undergo significant changes, or even be canceled, before related work truly begins.

By Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, AFP, AP)