OPINION: The USS Defiant—A Military Project or a Presidential Whim?

Futuristic weapons—but against which enemy?

The Trump-class will be equipped with hypersonic missiles, railguns, and lasers. These are impressive weapons, but their actual usefulness remains to be proven. Against whom will these weapons be used? China and Russia are developing anti-ship missiles capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometers away. And yet, we continue to believe that a battleship—no matter how sophisticated—will be able to survive in such a hostile environment.

The Question of Vulnerability

A 35,000-metric-ton ship, 840 to 880 feet long, is an ideal target. The Chinese and Russians have already demonstrated their ability to sink aircraft carriers with hypersonic missiles. How could a battleship, no matter how heavily armored, escape a salvo of DF-21Ds?

Trump, the Man Who Wanted to Make History

The Trump-class is, above all, a political project. A symbol of the “Golden Fleet” promised by the president, a showcase of American power. And yet, military experts are skeptical. Modern wars are won with drones, cyberattacks, and precision-guided missiles—not with battleships.

The U.S. Navy, Held Hostage by a Presidential Whim

The U.S. Navy never asked for this ship. It even tried to dissuade the Trump administration from launching the project, arguing that the funds would be better spent elsewhere. And yet, the project was imposed, like a whim of a man accustomed to getting everything he wants.

The Zumwalt-class destroyers: a more realistic solution

The Zumwalt-class destroyers are already equipped with technologies similar to those planned for the Trump-class. Why not invest in modernizing them, rather than wasting billions on an uncertain project? Because the Zumwalts don’t capture the public’s imagination. Because they aren’t named after Trump.

Aircraft Carriers, Still at the Heart of Naval Strategy

Aircraft carriers remain the cornerstone of U.S. naval power. They enable global power projection and offer unmatched flexibility. And yet, we prefer to spend fortunes on a battleship that no one really knows what it will be used for.

Shipyards at Their Wits’ End

U.S. shipyards are already at full capacity. Construction of the Constellation-class frigates has fallen behind schedule, as has that of the Virginia-class submarines. And yet, a new project—even more ambitious and even more expensive—is being added.

The shortage of skilled labor

Building the Trump-class would require thousands of skilled workers. Yet American shipyards are already struggling to recruit. And yet, the focus is on robots and promises of miraculous productivity gains.

Neither a battleship, nor a cruiser, nor a destroyer

The Trump-class is a hybrid. Too big to be a destroyer, not versatile enough to be an aircraft carrier, too vulnerable to be a traditional battleship. It’s a ship in search of an identity, a monster born of a mix of nostalgia and megalomania.

A Name That Sparks Debate

Calling this class the “Trump-class” is a deliberate choice—a way for the president to leave his mark on history. And yet, the name is divisive, even within the U.S. Navy.

Skeptical Military Experts

Mark Cancian, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, points out that the Trump-class is nothing like a traditional battleship. And yet, people continue to use that term, as if simply evoking the battleships of World War II could restore some prestige to the project.

Congress Is Starting to Worry

The Congressional Research Service has published a report highlighting the project’s risks: excessive costs, likely delays, and questionable military utility. And yet, the project is moving forward, driven by the president’s stubbornness and the inertia of the military bureaucracy.

China and Russia: Asymmetric Adversaries

China and Russia do not seek to confront the U.S. Navy in a symmetric conflict. They rely on missiles, drones, and cyberattacks. And yet, the United States persists in building ships that are ever larger, ever more expensive, and ever more vulnerable.

Innovation Lies Beyond Steel

True innovation lies in artificial intelligence, autonomous drones, and hypersonic weapons. And yet, billions are being spent on a battleship that risks becoming obsolete before it’s even launched.

A Project Doomed from the Start?

Some observers don’t hesitate to call it “dead on arrival.” A stillborn project, doomed by its cost, its complexity, and its lack of strategic relevance. What if the real enemy of the “Trump class” were itself?

The Trump-class: A Reflection of American Contradictions

The Trump-class is a symbol of an America torn between its glorious past and an uncertain future. A country that wants to remain the world’s leading military power but is struggling to define a clear strategy. This battleship is Trump’s America: loud, expensive, and perhaps already outdated.

By Maxime Marquette

Editorial Stance

This article offers a critical assessment of the Trump-class battleship project. The author questions the strategic and financial viability of this project, while highlighting the political issues surrounding it.

Methodology and Sources

The information is drawn from military sources and expert analyses. The figures cited (costs, technical specifications) are taken from official reports and articles in specialized press.

Nature of the Analysis

This is a reasoned opinion piece, combining verified facts with a personal perspective. The goal is to contribute to the debate on the future of U.S. defense.