US Navy seeks $65.8 billion to build 34 ships, including next-gen battleships

The Department of the Navy has unveiled a sweeping FY2027 budget request seeking $65.8 billion in shipbuilding funds to procure 34 vessels.

The budget request is part of President Trump’s historic $1.5 trillion topline provided for national defense submitted to Congress on April 3.

This year’s budget submission was guided by Secretary of the Navy John Phelan’s priorities: strengthening shipbuilding and the maritime industrial base; fostering a more adaptive, accountable, and innovative warfighter culture; and investing in the health, welfare and training of our people.

The submission was also guided by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle’s Fighting Instructions and the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith’s Force Design Strategy.

To usher in America’s Golden Fleet Initiative, the Department of the Navy is requesting $65.8 billion in shipbuilding funds to buy 18 battle force ships and 16 auxiliary ships.

This funding will allow the navy to purchase one Columbia-class submarine, two Virginia-class submarines, one FF(X) Frigate, one Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer, one America-class amphibious assault ship, one San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, six medium landing ships, two John Lewis-class oiler tankers, two submarine tender replacements, and one ocean surveillance ship.

The request also continues incremental funding for the third Ford-class carrier, CVN 80, and fourth Ford-class carrier, CVN 81.

This request will also support the design and development of the navy’s large surface combatant, the BB(X) battleship.

To remind, the navy revealed plans about a new class of battleships in December last year. The first vessel, USS Defiant (BBG-1), would inaugurate what the navy is calling the Trump class battleship, envisioned as a ship that would be capable of distributing more firepower across naval formations than any existing class of warship.

According to the navy, these new battleships will stand as the centerpiece of the navy’s Golden Fleet initiative and will be ‘the first of their kind’, providing dominant firepower and a decisive advantage over adversaries. Additionally, the new battleships would be roughly three times the size of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, allowing for significantly larger missile magazines and expanded command-and-control capabilities.

“This is the money that builds the future fleet,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget Rear Adm. Ben Reynolds.

“It funds the acquisition of 34 new ships and 123 new aircraft, directly translating dollars into the steel and systems that will guarantee our maritime dominance for decades to come.”

The Department of the Navy’s FY2027 budget request outlines a broad investment strategy aimed at strengthening readiness, expanding force structure, and accelerating modernization across the fleet.

The new FF(X) frigate is intended to assume lower-priority missions and free advanced destroyers for high-end combat operations.

The plan also places significant emphasis on unmanned platforms, which officials describe as a strategic hedge designed to multiply force effectiveness and enhance operational flexibility under the Golden Fleet Initiative.

Meanwhile, the weapons procurement request of $22.6 billion includes significant investments in a variety of munitions, including standard missiles, tactical Tomahawk missiles, and Patriot PAC-3s.

The budget includes $150 billion for operations and maintenance, with the goal of raising platform readiness toward an 80% combat surge-ready posture.

This effort focuses on reducing maintenance delays while improving manning, training, modernization, and sustainment across the naval force. According to the Department, the investment will also support deployment costs, training activity, and flying hours to ensure Sailors and Marines remain fully prepared for global operations.

In aviation procurement, the navy requests $34.4 billion to acquire 123 aircraft, including 47 F-35 fighters, 12 P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, 6 E-2D command and control aircraft, 22 CH-53K helicopters, and a mix of MQ-25 and MQ-9 unmanned systems, alongside modifications, spares, and support equipment.

Officials noted that F-35 procurement would be doubled, a move intended to accelerate production and reinforce the defense industrial base.

The ground procurement request for the US Marine Corps for $6.3 billion supports units across the Fleet Marine Force, investing in warfighting capabilities, including 32 navy/marine expeditionary ship interdiction system (NMESIS) launchers and 103 naval strike missiles (NSM) that enhance precision fires capabilities and contribute meaningfully to the joint kill chain.

The request also invests in ground-based air defense, supporting 42 marine air defense integrated systems (MADIS) and 16 medium-range intercept capability (MRIC) systems, along with 410 missiles that enable Marines to maneuver and operate under complex aerial threat conditions.

“This budget significantly enhances our ability to be a globally responsive, resilient, and lethal naval expeditionary force in readiness,” said Gen. Smith.

“It delivers much-needed investment in amphibious warships and medium landing ships, strengthens our aviation combat element, increases our magazine depth, and takes care of our strategic advantage, our Marines. Together, these investments ensure we are ready to fight today and modernizing to meet the demands of the future fight.”

The navy is requesting $36.2 billion for research and development to ensure the United States maintains the world’s most innovative and capable military force.

The investment supports a wide-ranging modernization effort across the fleet, spanning strategic deterrence recapitalization as well as air and surface warfare capabilities designed to counter emerging threats and preserve the navy’s decisive advantage.

“The FY27 budget request is a definitive order to shift our Navy from a peacetime posture to a warfighting footing,” said Caudle.

“Operationalizing the Foundry, Fleet and Fight framework, we are ensuring our Sailors have the lethal platforms and the delegated autonomy they need to win decisively. We are not just observing the security environment; we are actively shaping it with credible tailored forces to ensure peace through strength.”

This budget request dedicates $70.1 billion to military personnel, funding an overall military end strength of 621,500 sailors and marines, and dedicating $2.5 billion to enhance the quality of life.

Put your brand on the radar and boost visibility

From banner ads to sponsored content, we help your solutions
cut through the noise.
Trust Naval Today to align the compass and navigate your message!

ADVERTISING OPTIONS