Donald Trump Wants Iowa-Class Battleships Recommissioned: “Solid Steel, Not Aluminum”
In recent years, China has embarked on a frenzied production of naval warships, resulting in the world’s largest fleet. To restore the image of the mighty U.S. Navy, Donald Trump is calling for the return of World War II-era battleships.
At a high-profile military summit at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Donald Trump revived the idea of recommissioning the U.S. Navy’s Iowa-class battleships, claiming these ships could offer advantages over modern vessels. The U.S. president emphasized their robust construction, praising their thick armor and powerful guns: “It’s something we’re actually considering—the concept of battleships, nice six-inch sides, solid steel, not aluminum, aluminum that melts if it looks at a missile coming at it. Starts melting when the missile’s about two miles away. No, those ships, they don’t make them that way anymore.”
For him, reactivating or rebuilding battleships like the USS Iowa would combine spectacle with naval power. This concept is not new: during his first campaign, Trump mentioned the possible reactivation of the USS Iowa (BB-61), which, like its sister ships New Jersey (BB-62), Missouri (BB-63), and Wisconsin (BB-64), is now a museum ship. These four iconic World War II battleships could be returned to service or used as a basis for new battleship designs. Battleships have been largely abandoned for decades in favor of aircraft carriers. The gamble is twofold: to reinvigorate the U.S. Navy’s image and to offer a traditional alternative to modern threats.
Iowa-class battleships were permanently decommissioned in the 1990s. Their 16-inch guns require ammunition no longer produced, necessitating the revival of a dormant industrial chain. Their propulsion and electrical systems are archaic; modernizing them would cost billions, with no guarantee of performance comparable to modern vessels. These battleships also required crews of 1,500 to 1,800 sailors, or more for modernized versions. In a context where the U.S. Navy struggles to recruit for its current fleet, mobilizing so many personnel for a single ship seems unrealistic. Maintenance, supply logistics, repairs, and operational costs would be extremely high for a single ship in a modern fleet.
In modern naval warfare, range, stealth, missiles, drones, and countermeasures dominate the battlefield. A battleship would be an easy target for long-range anti-ship missiles or kamikaze drones, despite its thick armor. Moreover, these ships require aircraft carrier groups and air protection to survive; without them, they would be highly vulnerable. The advent of shipborne missile systems and active defense systems makes large-caliber guns less relevant. From a strategic standpoint, battleships are outdated.
During the Persian Gulf War of 1990–1991, specifically Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, the Iowa-class battleships, particularly the USS Iowa, USS Missouri, and USS Wisconsin, played significant roles in the U.S. Navy’s contribution to coalition forces against Iraq following its invasion of Kuwait. The ships were primarily deployed to provide naval gunfire support (NGFS) for ground forces. Their 16-inch/50-caliber Mark 7 guns delivered precise and powerful bombardment against Iraqi coastal defenses, military installations, and troop concentrations. Their ability to provide heavy, accurate firepower from offshore made them valuable for softening enemy defenses before amphibious operations or ground assaults.
The battleships were part of the coalition’s strategy to threaten an amphibious invasion of Kuwait, pinning Iraqi forces along the coast. While the actual amphibious landing did not occur (the main coalition assault came overland), the battleships’ presence helped deceive Iraqi commanders into diverting resources to coastal defenses. In addition to their traditional gunfire role, the Iowa-class battleships were equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, used to strike high-value targets deep inside Iraq.
The battleships also served as flagships or command platforms for naval task forces. Their large size and extensive communication systems enabled coordination with other naval assets, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines. The Persian Gulf War marked the final combat deployment of the Iowa-class battleships. Their role highlighted their continued relevance in modern warfare despite their age, combining traditional heavy gunfire with modern missile technology. After the war, high operational costs and the shift toward more versatile, missile-focused naval platforms led to the decommissioning of the Iowa-class battleships. USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin were decommissioned in 1991 and 1992, respectively, 34 and 33 years ago.
