The administration announced a $275 billion plan to build a new class of nuclear-powered battleships, though the Congressional Budget Office warns of high costs and shipyard capacity issues.
The administration announced a new fleet of 15 nuclear-powered surface combatants, dubbed the "Trump-class" battleships, with a total projected cost of $275 billion. This figure is nearly double the Navy's initial estimate, as the Congressional Budget Office report indicates that the first ship, the USS Defiant, will cost approximately $23.4 billion. The new vessels will be the largest battleships built by the U.S. Navy since World War II, featuring advanced weaponry such as hypersonic weapons and electric rail guns. However, the Congressional Budget Office warns that U.S. shipyards may lack the capacity to meet the production demands. While the primary builders of surface combatants have the expertise to build large ships, they are not currently certified for nuclear power work. The report suggests that building a new class of ships from scratch involves a steep learning curve and could lead to delays. Some analysts have expressed concern regarding the high cost of these vessels compared to the growing effectiveness of low-cost drones in modern naval warfare.