Trump’s "Golden Fleet": 4 Shocking Facts About the New "Trump Class" Battleships

 

Trump's "Golden Fleet": 4 Shocking Facts About the "Trump Class" Battleship Plan

Donald Trump's recently announced plan for the "Golden Fleet" is capturing global attention. This goes far beyond a simple military buildup. With its unconventional naming conventions and the surprising inclusion of South Korean companies, the plan perfectly encapsulates Trump's signature style and geopolitical ambitions.

Today, we dive deep into the four most surprising and significant facts hidden within Trump's "Golden Fleet" initiative.

1. Unprecedented Branding: The Birth of the "Trump Class"

Traditionally, the US Navy names battleships after states and aircraft carriers after past presidents. However, Trump is set to break this long-standing tradition. He has announced that the new 30,000 to 40,000-ton class of heavy battleships will be named the "Trump Class," bearing his own name.

• First Ship Name: USS Defiant

• Distinctive Feature: A large emblem of President Trump raising his fist will be attached to the exterior of the stern helicopter deck.

Concept art of the stern of the new 'USS Defiant' featuring the 'TRUMP CLASS' name and a dedicated emblem. The ship features a golden hull and ostentatious branding.

While local media criticizes this as "ostentatious," it aligns with his meticulous branding strategy—similar to his previous attempt to rename Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center to the "Trump Kennedy Center." The name "Golden Fleet" itself reflects his well-known love for gold.

2. A Revival After 84 Years: A "100 Times More Powerful" Arsenal

If this plan comes to fruition, the United States will possess a new battleship for the first time in 84 years, since the commissioning of the Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri in 1944. Trump has expressed immense confidence in this vessel:

"It will be the fastest, the biggest, and 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built."

Concept art of the 'USS Defiant,' the vanguard of the 'Golden Fleet,' demonstrating future weapons like hypersonic missiles and high-power lasers.

The Trump Class battleships are expected to be equipped with futuristic weaponry, including:

• Hypersonic Missiles

• Nuclear Cruise Missiles

• High-Energy Laser Weapons

While Navy Secretary John Phelan hailed it as "a new pillar of American nuclear deterrence," critics are raising concerns about potential violations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

3. "A Good Company": A Triumph for the Korean Defense Industry

For observers in South Korea, the most interesting aspect is the involvement of Korean companies. President Trump explicitly named Hanwha as a partner for the new frigate construction, praising them as "A good company."

• Investment: Agreement to invest $5 billion in the Philly Shipyard (Philadelphia Naval Shipyard), acquired by Hanwha.

• Significance: Securing a powerful engine for the Korea-US shipbuilding cooperation project, 'MASGA'.

Concept art of a new battleship from the 'Golden Fleet' being built at the Philadelphia Shipyard acquired by Hanwha.

This announcement is expected to have a positive ripple effect not only for Hanwha Ocean but also for the entire Korean shipbuilding industry, including potential partners like HD Hyundai. It serves as proof that South Korea's shipbuilding technology is recognized as a key partner in the US mainland defense market.

4. $12 Billion Per Ship? The Paradox of the Drone Era

Behind the flashy blueprint lies realistic criticism. Modern warfare is increasingly dominated by low-cost, high-efficiency drones and asymmetric capabilities. In this context, questions remain about the efficiency of "Big Gun" ideology, which requires massive expenditure.

• Estimated Cost: Up to $12 billion (approx. 17.76 trillion KRW) per ship.

• Criticism: Experts argue this strategy runs counter to the era of drone warfare.

Concept art of a massive 'Trump Class' battleship being swarmed by cheap, small drones. A critical view on the utility of ultra-expensive big-gun ships.

Experts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and other institutions are questioning the cost-effectiveness of the project. When asked if the fleet was aimed at China, Trump avoided a direct answer, stating it was a "response to all threats." Whether this astronomical project can pass Congress and become a reality remains to be seen.

Conclusion: Grand Strategy or Vanity Project?

From the unconventional "Trump Class" branding and the revival of battleships after 84 years to the unexpected partnership with South Korean companies and the controversy over cost versus utility—Trump's "Golden Fleet" plan poses complex questions.

Will this ambitious plan be an innovative strategy to make US naval power great again? Or will it go down in history as an ostentatious project that wasted massive amounts of budget? The answer will unfold through the future implementation process and the rapidly changing international landscape.

Tags: #Trump #GoldenFleet #TrumpClass #HanwhaOcean #USNavy #DefenseIndustry #USSDefiant #Geopolitics