日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — cbo-estimates-trump-class-battleship-program-cost
CBO Estimates $275 Billion Cost for Trump-Class Battleship Program
REL_TIME: 06 Aug 2026 06:16Z · LANG: EN
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimates that President Donald Trump's proposed 'Golden Fleet' of 15 nuclear-powered 'Trump-class' battleships will cost $275 billion to acquire through 2056. The lead ship is projected to cost $23.4 billion, while subsequent ships will cost about $18 billion each—exceeding the cost of Ford-class aircraft carriers. In addition to high costs, the CBO highlighted severe infrastructure constraints: key surface shipbuilders Bath Iron Works and Ingalls Shipbuilding lack nuclear certification, leaving Newport News Shipbuilding as the sole potential final assembly site. However, Newport News is already facing delays on three aircraft carriers, raising concerns that the battleship program could worsen delays across the Navy's entire shipbuilding portfolio.
// Background
The U.S. Navy has suffered persistent shipbuilding delays and budget overruns, with Arleigh Burke-class destroyers running an average of five years behind schedule. President Donald Trump announced the 'Trump-class' battleship initiative in late 2025 as part of a new 'Golden Fleet'. Originally envisioned with conventional propulsion, the Navy shifted the design to nuclear power, substantially increasing estimated per-vessel costs.
// Key Developments
- The CBO projects the 15-ship nuclear-powered 'Trump-class' battleship program will cost $275 billion through 2056.
- The lead vessel is estimated at $23.4 billion, making it significantly more expensive than the $13.3 billion USS Gerald R. Ford supercarrier.
- The 35,000-ton battleships are planned to feature hypersonic weapons, nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, rail guns, and high-power lasers.
- Major U.S. shipyards Bath Iron Works and Ingalls Shipbuilding lack nuclear certifications for ship construction.
- Only Newport News Shipbuilding has nuclear surface ship certification, but it is already behind schedule on three carrier builds.
// Timeline
-
President Donald Trump officially announces plans for the nuclear-powered 'Trump-class' battleship fleet at Mar-a-Lago.
-
Retired Adm. James Stavridis publishes an op-ed raising concerns about concentrating heavy resources into large capital warships.
-
The U.S. Navy releases its 2027 shipbuilding plan outlining the acquisition of 15 battleships between 2028 and 2056.
-
The Congressional Budget Office publishes its report detailing the $275 billion estimated cost and shipyard capacity challenges.
// Perspectives
[Congressional Budget Office (CBO)]
Neutral analytical perspective highlighting substantial cost uncertainties, potential procurement budget increases, and severe shipyard capacity risks.
[Trump Administration & U.S. Navy Leadership]
Strongly supportive, promoting the Trump-class battleships as vital high-firepower assets essential to modern naval superiority.
[Congressional Democrats]
Opposed to the program, criticizing it as an unnecessary spending distraction from domestic economic priorities.
[Naval Strategy Analysts]
Skeptical of concentrated capital ship investments in an era defined by low-cost drone swarms and hypersonic anti-ship threats.
// Quotes
“at a time when families are struggling to afford groceries, gas, health care and child care, Congress cannot throw hundreds of billions of dollars at Trump’s Golden Fleet, including plastering his name across a new battleship.”
“Given today’s drone swarms, stealthy submarines, hypersonic missiles, advanced torpedoes and offensive cyberweapons, putting lots of eggs in a handful of big baskets doesn’t make much sense”
“All of our programs are a mess”
