Trump will announce the "Golden Fleet" plan, with the first vessel expected to be completed in 2028

The U.S. Navy has announced plans to build a new class of warship, marking the first concrete project of the Trump administration's "Golden Fleet" initiative. This plan aims to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry and address the recent shortage of small vessels exposed during global military operations.

On December 22, media reports citing White House officials revealed that Trump will announce a shipbuilding plan later on Monday alongside U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Another media outlet cited an American official and a source familiar with the discussions, stating that Trump will announce the formation of a new fleet of large warships, which he refers to as "warships."

Previously, on December 19, Phelan posted a video on social media directing the construction of a new class of frigates as part of the Golden Fleet, with the first vessel expected to be completed by 2028.

The vessel, designated FF(X), will be built by HII in Newport News, Virginia, based on its "Legend" class patrol vessel design. It is intended to replace the canceled Constellation-class frigate, focusing on near-shore defense and conventional missions to fill the gap in small surface combatants.

The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Daryl Caudle, stated that the size of the Navy's small surface combatant fleet meets only one-third of the actual demand. He said:

Recent operations from the Red Sea to the Caribbean demonstrate that this demand is undeniable.

According to media reports, in addition to patrol vessels, the "Golden Fleet" plan will include new battleships, which will be an upgrade to the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the backbone of the current fleet. Trump has compared them unfavorably to the navies of competitors.

Phased Advancement of American Manufacturing

According to the Navy's plan, the FF(X) warship will be constructed using American workers and components. The Navy will first build the frigates and then hold bids to expand the construction work to multiple shipyards.

This approach reflects the government's determination to rebuild the foundation of the U.S. shipbuilding industry. According to previous reports by Global Times, White House spokespersons have stated that Trump's move is to "strengthen America's maritime dominance."

Reports indicate that the U.S. Navy is discussing the formation of an ambitious new fleet focused on advanced vessel designs, modular combat systems, and greater roles for unmanned and autonomous platforms. This fleet is referred to as the "Golden Fleet" in accordance with Trump's preferences.

However, the challenges facing the U.S. shipbuilding industry remain severe. According to a recent assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the U.S. accounts for only 0.1% of global shipbuilding output. The Washington-based think tank's report shows that the U.S. continues to face difficulties such as a shrinking workforce, supply chain issues, and a reduction in shipyards.

According to assessments cited by Global Times, building large new warships from scratch may require 5 years of design time, with an additional 5 to 7 years for construction, meaning some vessels may not be unveiled until after the current administration's term ends.

What Does a "Modern Battleship" Look Like?

In the planning of the "Golden Fleet," the most core and attention-grabbing part is the so-called "modern battleship."

According to reports cited by the Global Times, the ship's displacement is about 15,000 to 20,000 tons, significantly exceeding that of destroyers and cruisers, and it can carry more and more powerful weapons than the current vessels of the U.S. Navy, including hypersonic missiles.

Battleships, marked by their strong armor and heavy guns, were long the core of navies around the world until they were gradually replaced by aircraft carriers during World War II. The last class of U.S. battleships, the Iowa class, was decommissioned in the early 1990s.

It is noteworthy that Trump has previously expressed his preference for traditional battleships and dissatisfaction with the current vessels of the U.S. military. On September 30, Trump publicly mentioned during a speech to hundreds of U.S. military generals at the Quantico Marine Corps Base:

From an aesthetic point of view, I don't like some of the ships you are building. An ugly ship doesn't need to be called stealthy.

He also stated:

We are considering the concept of battleships. A beautiful 6-inch (about 152 mm) side made of solid steel, not aluminum, which melts when hit by a missile.

The Global Times cited Pentagon officials familiar with the discussions, stating that modern battleships may be equipped with integrated electric propulsion systems, more robust hull armor, advanced radar and sensor suites, and capable of carrying long-range hypersonic missiles. Officials stated:

The design concept is to significantly increase offensive firepower while enhancing survivability against new threats, including anti-ship ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles