Most expensive surface warship programme? US Navy's Trump-class battleship could cost $275 billion
The US Navy is planning a new class of nuclear-powered guided missile battleships, with a projected fleet of 15 vessels costing $275 billion. The Trump-class ships are designed to be the most heavily armed surface combatants in history, featuring hypersonic weapons, lasers, and railguns.
Why it matters
This represents a massive shift in naval strategy and defense spending, potentially setting a record for the most expensive surface warship program in American history.
The US Navy's proposed Trump-class nuclear-powered guided missile battleship programme could become one of the most expensive surface warship projects in American history, with a planned fleet of 15 vessels estimated to cost $275 billion over nearly three decades, according to a new report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).The independent budget watchdog estimates the programme will cost about $275 billion in 2026 dollars between 2028 and 2056. It projects the lead ship will cost $23.4 billion, while each of the remaining 14 battleships is expected to cost around $18 billion, making the Trump-class among the costliest surface combatant programmes ever proposed by the US Navy.US President Donald Trump announced the Trump-class battleship programme on December 22, 2025, describing it as the most heavily armed surface combatant ever envisioned by the Navy.
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