Trump: "U.S. Navy to Build 'Golden Fleet'... New Frigates to Be Built in Cooperation with Hanwha"

The "Golden Fleet" Initiative to Introduce "Trump-Class" Warships
"Hanwha is a 'good company'"
Collaboration Between Navy and Private Companies
Three Aircraft Carriers Under Construction
"Will Meet with Defense Contractors to Discuss Schedule"

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the U.S. Navy's next-generation warship construction initiative, known as the "Golden Fleet." As part of this new force, he revealed that newly introduced frigates (escort ships) will be built in cooperation with the Korean company Hanwha. This has drawn attention to whether the U.S.-Korea shipbuilding investment project, "MASGA" (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again), agreed upon by the leaders of both countries, will gain momentum.

On the 22nd (local time), at the Mar-a-Lago Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. Navy's next-generation warship construction plan called the "Golden Fleet." President Trump stated that the "Trump-class" battleship, named after himself, will be "the largest in American history and the greatest battleship in world history." Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On the 22nd (local time), President Trump held a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. He stated, "Last week, the U.S. Navy announced a plan to build a new class of frigates. They will be working with a Korean company," and specifically described this Korean company as "a good company called Hanwha. Hanwha has agreed to invest 5 billion dollars in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard." He added, "That was a great shipyard. It was closed a long time ago, but it is reopening so that the U.S. Navy and private companies can work together." The Philadelphia shipyard mentioned by President Trump appears to refer to the Philly Shipyard acquired by Hanwha.

The new frigates that the U.S. Navy plans to introduce with Hanwha's help will be incorporated into the "Golden Fleet" announced by President Trump on this day. He explained that cooperation with the private company Hanwha is necessary because these ships are "needed right now." The decision to select a Korean company with rapid shipbuilding capabilities is interpreted as a response to delays in the original plan to procure frigates from Italy.

President Trump stated, "The United States has built many new warships over the years, but they have become increasingly smaller and do not align with our 'peace through strength' strategy. Now, including aircraft carriers, we plan to expand their size. Once completed, these new ships will exceed 30,000 to 40,000 tons and will serve as the flagships of the U.S. Navy fleet." Currently, the mainstay of the U.S. Navy is the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, which is about 9,500 tons. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), President Trump believes that relying solely on these ships will not be sufficient for future naval power competition.

The U.S. Navy plans to first build two "Trump-class" battleships and ultimately increase the number to 20 to 25. President Trump introduced the name of the first Trump-class battleship as "USS Defiant," signifying challenge or defiance. He also stated that three large aircraft carriers are under construction, and that 12 to 15 submarines are either being built or will soon begin construction. He said, "The United States has already built numerous battleships such as the Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Alabama, but the new warships will possess 100 times more power and strength than these. We are building these ships in America. Next week, I will meet with major defense contractors to discuss the production schedule."

The new fleet envisioned under the "Golden Fleet" plan will consist of several large destroyers equipped with long-range missiles, including hypersonic missiles, and an even greater number of smaller escort ships. President Trump stated, "State-of-the-art electromagnetic railguns and high-powered laser weapons will be installed," and added, "We will also operate cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads."

This plan, in which President Trump is personally involved, is seen as an effort to counter the expansion of China's naval power. The Wall Street Journal explained that the name "Golden Fleet" reflects President Trump's fondness for gold, similar to America's next-generation air defense system, the "Golden Dome."

However, there are concerns that the newly announced fleet, with its grand scale and appearance aimed at replacing the aging existing fleet, may fall short in terms of cost-effectiveness and performance. Former Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery criticized the new escort ships, stating that without vertical launch systems or the Aegis defense system, they are "tactically useless." He further commented, "The president is simply focused on the visual image of battleships looking impressive to him."