"The US Navy said it plans to buy at least 15 new battleships endorsed by President Donald Trump over the next 30 years, according to its new shipbuilding plan, marking a deeper commitment than previously revealed to what could be the costliest warship ever produced."
"The Navy had previously said it would purchase three of the so-called Trump-class battleships, with the first arriving in 2036. But the Navy now projects buying more than a dozen of the vessels through 2055, the service said in a congressionally mandated, long-range plan released on Monday."
"The new Trump battleships - unveiled and personally approved by the president - could cost at least $14.5 billion apiece given a five-year Navy budget plan requests $43.5 billion for the first three vessels. That would make them even costlier than the $13 billion USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, the most expensive US warship. The lead vessel of a new class of warships has historically cost much more than planned."
"Still, the ship-buying is no sure thing. The Navy's 30-year plans are generally seen as aspirational documents, with this plan containing no clear figures for the cost of a 15-ship fleet. And Trump's planned 44% boost for the Pentagon's $1.5 trillion 2027 budget is likely to meet significant pushback in Congress. "All items beyond" the Navy's current five-year plan to 2031 "are under review by the Administration," according to a footnote in the document."
The US Navy plans to procure at least 15 new Trump-class battleships over the next 30 years, reflecting a deeper commitment than previously stated. Earlier plans called for three ships, with the first arriving in 2036, but the updated long-range shipbuilding plan projects buying more than a dozen vessels through 2055. The battleships, personally endorsed by President Donald Trump, could cost at least $14.5 billion each based on a five-year budget request of $43.5 billion for the first three. That cost would exceed the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier. The plan remains uncertain because long-range procurement figures are aspirational and additional costs are not clearly specified. Political and budget pressures could lead to cancellation if Congress or the presidency changes.
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