00:00A proposed fleet of 15 Trump-class battleships for the U.S. Navy could cost $275 billion,
00:08making them among the most expensive American warships ever built.
00:12The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the first nuclear-powered vessel
00:16could cost $23.4 billion in 2026.
00:22Later ships are expected to cost an average of $18 billion each,
00:27with purchases planned to continue until 2056.
00:31For comparison, the USS Gerald R. Ford cost about $13.3 billion in 2008
00:37after adjusting for inflation, that figure rises to more than $20 billion.
00:42In December 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the new class of warships
00:47that would carry his name, an honour usually reserved for leaders who have left office.
00:53The ships will be heavily armed, carrying anti-air and land-attack missiles,
00:58hypersonic weapons, nuclear cruise missiles, lasers and a railgun.
01:02The proposal comes as the U.S. trails China significantly in the total number of naval vessels.
01:08And, as you know, we're desperately in need of ships.
01:11Our ships are...
01:11Thank you, sir.
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