The US Navy plans to acquire 15 Trump-class battleships by 2055

(SeaPRwire) –   The US Navy has announced plans to purchase at least 15 new battleships, which were endorsed by President Donald Trump, over the next 30 years, according to its updated shipbuilding strategy. This move signals a stronger commitment than previously disclosed to what could become the most expensive warship ever built.

Previously, the Navy had indicated it would acquire three so-called Trump-class battleships, with the first expected to arrive in 2036. However, the latest projection shows the service aiming to buy more than a dozen of these vessels through 2055, as outlined in a long-range plan required by Congress and released on Monday.

The new Trump-class battleships—unveiled and personally approved by the president—could cost at least $14.5 billion each if the Navy’s five-year budget request of $43.5 billion for the first three ships is realized. That would make them even pricier than the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, currently the most costly US warship at $13 billion. Historically, the lead vessel of a new class of warships has exceeded initial cost estimates.

While Trump previously suggested the Navy might build up to 25 battleships, the current plan represents an official assessment that has undergone the Navy’s formal requirements process.

Nevertheless, the acquisition remains uncertain. The Navy’s 30-year plans are generally considered aspirational, and this document does not specify costs for a full 15-ship fleet. Additionally, Trump’s proposed 44% increase to the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion 2027 budget is likely to face significant opposition in Congress.

“All items beyond” the Navy’s existing five-year plan through 2031 “are under review by the Administration,” states a footnote in the document.

Given its strong association with the current president and its high price tag, the Trump-class battleship program is also likely to be among the top defense initiatives targeted for cancellation if Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections. The long-term viability of the program becomes even more precarious if a Democrat is elected president in 2028.

Trump dismissed former Navy Secretary John Phelan after the appointee reportedly clashed with senior Pentagon leaders—including over efforts to revive U.S. shipbuilding—according to individuals familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The United States is at a strategic inflection point, and rebuilding American maritime dominance requires urgency, accountability, and sustained commitment,” Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, who succeeded Phelan, said in a statement accompanying the release of the plan on Monday.

The first Trump battleship is scheduled for delivery around eight years after contract award, with an anticipated arrival in 2036. The second and third ships are projected for 2038 and 2039, followed by the fourth and fifth in 2041 and 2043.

Overall, the Navy forecasts having 299 battle-capable ships in its fleet by 2031, still short of its own requirement of 355 vessels. This number marks an increase from today’s total of 291 ships.

“This is a persistent problem and one that is not just industrial,” the Navy plan notes. “It is structural and stems from how we procure ships, develop our plans, and manage risk in Navy acquisitions.”