The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that President Donald Trump’s proposed nuclear-powered battleship fleet—often referred to as the “Golden Fleet”—could cost as much as $275 billion through 2056. The estimate covers development and acquisition costs for the fleet, which is envisioned to include about 15 nuclear-powered ships.
Both outlets report that the CBO’s figures derive from a government analysis released on Wednesday. One outlet adds more detail on projected per-ship costs, including an estimated construction cost for the first vessel, the U.S.S. Defiant, at about $23.4 billion, with additional ships expected to follow at other projected costs. The reporting emphasizes that the $275 billion figure represents the overall potential price range through the mid-21st century.
The articles do not indicate that the CBO is approving the program; rather, they describe the CBO’s assessment of potential costs tied to the fleet’s planned size and timeline.
