These Are The Key Problems With The Newly Announced Trump Class Battleships

Key Concepts

• Trump Class Battleship: Proposed US naval warship, largest since WWII.
• Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles (ASBMs): Chinese capability to convert civilian ships into military vessels.
• Railgun: Electromagnetic projectile weapon, abandoned by the US but pursued by Japan.
• Procurement System Inefficiency: Issues with US defense spending, delays, and cost overruns.
• Stealth Submarines & Unmanned Systems: Proposed focus areas for US naval defense.
• Hypersonic Missiles: A threat the railgun was designed to counter.

The Flaws of the Trump Class Battleship & Shifting Naval Priorities

President Trump recently announced plans for the “Trump class” battleship, intended to be the largest US naval warship since World War II. However, Steve Forbes argues this project represents a misallocation of defense resources. A primary concern is the ship’s planned armament of nuclear-armed cruise missiles. Forbes highlights the critical danger of these missiles being indistinguishable from non-nuclear versions, raising the risk of catastrophic misidentification and escalation during conflict. He states, “this projectile can't easily be distinguished from a non-nuclear one, which could lead to a ghastly error in mistaken identity in a confrontation.”

The Growing Chinese Naval Threat & Asymmetric Warfare

The core of Forbes’ argument centers on the rapidly expanding Chinese naval capabilities and their innovative approach to naval warfare. He points to China’s success in converting civilian container ships into potent military vessels equipped with cruise missiles and other weaponry. This capability allows for a swift and inexpensive expansion of their fleet, currently numbering “nearly 800 vessels.” Forbes emphasizes the potential for “transformed missile launchers [to] wreak havoc,” highlighting the threat of a large-scale, rapidly deployable Chinese naval force. Furthermore, China’s shipbuilding industry also caters to foreign clients, enabling further expansion of its own naval capacity.

US Shipbuilding Failures & Technological Abandonment

In contrast to China’s efficient expansion, the US Navy has experienced significant setbacks in its shipbuilding programs. Forbes cites three major failures: the Zumwalt class destroyers, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and the Constellation class frigates, all of which resulted in “tens of billions of dollars…spent with little or nothing to show for the effort.” He also laments the 2021 abandonment of the railgun project, a weapon capable of firing projectiles at a fraction of the cost of cruise missiles and designed to counter hypersonic missiles and saturation attacks. He notes Japan’s continued development of its own railgun technology, stating, “Thankfully, Japan didn't make that mistake and is successfully conducting tests of its own version.”

Systemic Issues in US Defense Procurement

Forbes identifies systemic issues within the US defense procurement process as a major contributor to these failures. He criticizes the practice of “repeatedly overload[ing] our aircraft and vessels with new and expensive gadgets,” leading to “constant change orders [that] balloon costs and seriously delay production.” He uses the example of the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, which “still faces reliability challenges with its supposedly super duper aircraft elevators,” despite its advanced technology.

Recommended Strategies for US Naval Defense

Forbes proposes a shift in US naval strategy, focusing on capabilities specifically designed to deter a Chinese amphibious assault on Taiwan and to potentially disrupt Chinese trade. His recommendations include:

• Increased Investment in Stealth Assault Submarines: Prioritizing the development and deployment of stealthy submarines.
• Unmanned Floating Devices: Utilizing unmanned systems capable of attacking Chinese vessels.
• Re-Development of the Railgun: Reviving the railgun project to counter hypersonic threats.
• Long-Range Missiles: Deploying long-range missiles on multiple platforms.
• Leveraging Allied Shipbuilding: Utilizing the advanced and cost-effective shipbuilding facilities of Japan and South Korea.
• Procurement System Reform: Implementing “long-term appropriations” to reduce annual funding fluctuations and improve efficiency.
• Increased Defense Budget: Advocating for a “seriously boosting the defense budget.”

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The argument progresses logically from identifying a flawed US naval project (the Trump class battleship) to highlighting the growing threat posed by China’s naval expansion. The failures of US shipbuilding programs and the abandonment of promising technologies like the railgun are presented as evidence of systemic inefficiencies. Forbes then proposes a series of strategic adjustments, emphasizing asymmetric warfare capabilities and leveraging international partnerships to counter the Chinese threat.

The central takeaway is that the US needs to fundamentally re-evaluate its naval priorities and address the inefficiencies within its defense procurement system to maintain a credible deterrent in the face of China’s rapidly modernizing military. As Forbes concludes, a more focused and efficient approach to defense spending is crucial for navigating “these turbulent times.”