U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that South Korea's Hanwha will partner with the U.S. Navy to build new frigate warships. Speaking at a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, he also unveiled plans for a new "Trump-class" of battleships as part of a "Golden Fleet." The move aligns with South Korea's efforts to deepen shipbuilding ties with the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on December 22, 2025 (local time), during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, that South Korea's Hanwha will collaborate with the U.S. Navy on constructing new frigate warships. This follows the U.S. Navy's announcement last Friday of a new frigate class, designed to be smaller and more agile to complement larger multi-mission vessels.
Trump praised Hanwha as a "good company," highlighting its recent investment in the Philadelphia naval shipyard, known as Philly Shipyard. In August, Hanwha Group revealed plans to invest $5 billion in the yard, part of South Korea's $150 billion commitment to U.S. shipbuilding cooperation under a broader trade agreement with the Trump administration.
At the conference, Trump stated that the U.S. Navy will build two powerful battleships as part of an envisioned "Golden Fleet." He described the new 30,000-40,000 ton "Trump-class" battleships as "100 times more powerful" than any previously built, with potential for up to 25 vessels in the long term. According to Trump, they will be equipped with nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, rail guns, and high-powered lasers.
Trump emphasized that the ships will be constructed in the U.S., with negotiations underway with companies operating or acquiring naval yards. This announcement underscores efforts to strengthen shipbuilding ties between South Korea and the United States, involving key Korean builders like Hanwha Ocean.
