The Trump administration announced ambitious plans to construct a new class of surface combatants, referred to as “battleships,” during a press conference held at the president’s Florida residence. On December 25, 2025, President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan unveiled details of these vessels, which will displace approximately 35,000 tons, significantly larger than the current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
The proposed battleships will feature advanced armament, including 128 Mk 41 vertical-launch missile tubes. This amounts to a greater capacity than the latest Burke-class destroyers, though fewer than the 154 missile tubes found on the Navy’s SSGN guided-missile submarines. A fact sheet revealed that these new vessels will incorporate several untested technologies, such as a 32-megajoule railgun, two 300 kW tactical lasers, and a dozen large tubes for the yet-to-be-developed Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles.
Historically, the U.S. Navy has faced challenges in deploying advanced technologies. The Associated Press reported that the Navy spent hundreds of millions of dollars and over 15 years attempting to field a railgun on naval vessels before ultimately abandoning the project in 2021. Phelan noted that components of the battleships will be manufactured in all 50 states, reflecting the Navy’s long-standing practice of distributing contracts to bolster political support.
International Military Developments and Surveillance Operations
In related military news, the U.S. has initiated surveillance flights over Nigeria following Trump’s threats to deploy American troops to counter violence against Christians in the region. These contracted flights began in late November 2025 and typically operate from Ghana, returning after monitoring missions, according to flight tracking data. An expert from the American Enterprise Institute confirmed that these operations appear to be based out of an airport in Accra, a key hub for U.S. military logistics in Africa. Pentagon officials have refrained from providing comments about the ongoing surveillance activities.
Amid escalating tensions, the U.S. State Department also approved a substantial sale of over 230 AMRAAM-ER missiles to Denmark, valued at approximately $951 million. This decision follows a recent diplomatic dispute between the White House and the Danish government, highlighting the complexities of international military relations.
Global Military Landscape and Future Implications
Furthermore, the Pentagon has reported that China may have stationed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in silo fields, suggesting an expanding military capability. This development has raised concerns among U.S. defense officials regarding the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region.
As the Trump administration continues to shape its military policy, the implications of these announcements could resonate far beyond U.S. borders. Analysts are closely monitoring how these plans will influence both domestic and international military dynamics, especially in light of existing geopolitical tensions.
As 2025 draws to a close, the focus remains on how these ambitious military projects and international relations will evolve in the coming year. The ongoing developments underscore the importance of staying informed about global security issues, particularly as nations navigate complex diplomatic landscapes.
