TRANSFORMING U.S. SHIPBUILDING: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum aimed at addressing critical long-term challenges in Navy shipbuilding and repair programs, with the goal of reviving capacity and competition within the maritime industrial base.
- The Memorandum instructs the Secretary of War to replace the Advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems and Advanced Weapons Elevators with traditional steam and hydraulic systems in the construction of CVN-81.
- It also mandates the Department of War to make more direct investments in the American shipbuilding industry, inspired by the successful “Finland model” initially used in the Coast Guard’s medium icebreaker program.
- Foreign shipbuilders making substantial investments in American shipyards and creating American jobs will be allowed to construct up to two ships in their home shipyards to quickly bridge capability gaps, with further ships to be built in renovated U.S. shipyards.
- The Memorandum calls for the establishment of a fifth Naval shipyard, the first in over 80 years, to boost the nation’s capacity for submarine and aircraft carrier repairs.
- Additionally, it directs the creation of a Component Repair Center to maintain, repair, and refurbish critical parts for all existing major submarine programs.
- A comprehensive review, reform, and reorganization of Naval Sea Systems Command is also ordered to tackle persistent challenges in U.S. naval shipbuilding.
ADDRESSING PERSISTENT FAILURES IN SHIPBUILDING: President Trump is taking steps to revitalize America’s shipbuilding industry, which is crucial for the nation’s security and economic well-being.
- The U.S. Navy has faced several setbacks in shipbuilding due to overly complex designs and frequent design changes, leading to increased costs, delays, and cancellations.
- This lack of capacity and competition has resulted in significant backlogs in six major Navy shipbuilding programs, and a commercial shipbuilding sector that struggles to compete globally.
- The weakened shipbuilding industrial base, along with reduced adjacent supplier networks, has exacerbated delays and increased costs.
RESTORING AMERICA’S MARITIME DOMINANCE: President Trump is paving the way for a new era in maritime excellence, expanding commercial shipbuilding capacity, nurturing a strong workforce, and strengthening alliances.
- In a March 2025 address to Congress, President Trump pledged to “resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including both commercial and military sectors.”
- He ordered the largest boost in Naval strength since President Reagan, focusing on submarines, destroyers, aircraft carriers, and battleships, alongside unprecedented investments in the U.S. Coast Guard.
- President Trump established an Office of Maritime and Industrial Capacity at the National Security Council to prioritize American maritime dominance.
- In April 2025, he signed a landmark Executive Order to restore American Maritime Dominance, bolstering the nation’s economic and national security.
- The Working Families Tax Cuts introduced by President Trump allocated nearly $9 billion for the construction of heavy, medium, and light arctic security cutters (ASCs).
- In October 2025, a Presidential Memorandum authorized the construction of up to four ASCs abroad to meet urgent national security needs in the Arctic.
- In February 2026, the White House unveiled its Maritime Action Plan, broadening the Maritime Industrial Base to include investments in both commercial and defense shipbuilding, component supply chains, ship repair, marine transportation, port infrastructure, and workforce development.
