White House Requests $66 Billion for Golden Fleet and New Battleship

The White House has submitted its fiscal year 2027 budget request, including $65.8 billion for Navy shipbuilding and the establishment of the Golden Fleet, according to Business Insider. The proposal also includes funding for the Trump-class battleship, part of a broader $1.5 trillion defense budget that marks a 44% increase over the previous year.

The shipbuilding plan supports the construction of 34 new vessels, including 18 battle force and 16 non-battle force ships, as well as upgrades to shipyards and auxiliary vessels. The Trump-class battleship, designated as the USS Defiant, will serve as the flagship of the Golden Fleet and is described as one of the most advanced warships planned by the U.S. Navy.

The budget also includes funding for the Golden Dome missile defense system, AI adoption, and continued development of the Air Force’s F-47 sixth-generation fighter, with its first flight expected in 2028. Additionally, it prioritizes munitions, drones, and counter-drone technologies.

Counter-drone capabilities have become one of the fastest-growing sectors in defense, announced in a press release, with companies like VisionWave Holdings and Kratos Defense developing AI-driven systems designed to detect and neutralize aerial threats. The Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Program aims to deploy over 200,000 autonomous systems as part of this broader modernization effort.