Chicago – August 06, 2026
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Fleet” of 15 nuclear-powered Trump-class battleships could cost approximately $275 billion to develop and acquire through 2056. The first vessel, USS Defiant, is projected to cost $23.4 billion—$8 billion higher than the Navy’s original forecast—while each of the 14 subsequent ships is expected to exceed $18 billion, up from earlier estimates of $10.2 billion per vessel.
Rising Costs Spark Concern
The CBO’s preliminary analysis, released Wednesday, reveals significant cost increases from initial Navy projections, which had estimated the lead ship at approximately $15 billion. The nonpartisan agency’s revised figures reflect uncertainties around the battleship design, including tonnage, crew size, weapons systems, and survivability features.
Fleet Expansion Plans
While the current plan calls for 15 Trump-class guided-missile battleships (BBG(X)) to be built between 2028 and 2056, President Trump has indicated the Navy may eventually expand the fleet to 20–25 ships. At that scale, the Senate Budget Committee estimates total costs could reach $455 billion, with some projections suggesting the program could exceed $528 billion.
