Trump promises to keep US Navy afloat with surge in spending

THE US president promised to expand America’s naval fleet to include 12 aircraft carriers as he trumpeted his plans for a major military build-up during a visit to a shipyard yesterday.

Donald Trump escaped the White House to don a flight jacket and address hundreds of sailors aboard the Gerald R Ford, America’s newest and most expensive nuclear-powered carrier.

He promised his excited audience gathered in Newport News, Virginia, that it was just the start.

“In these troubled times our Navy is the smallest it’s been since World War One – that’s a long time ago,” he said. “In fact I just spoke to Navy and industry leaders and discussed my plans to make a major expansion of our Navy fleet, including having the 12-carrier Navy we need.”

At present, the US has 10 aircraft carriers of the older Nimitz class. The Ford, at a cost of $12.9 billion, is the most expensive ship ever built and uses the latest technology, such as electromagnetic aircraft launchers to replace steam-powered slings.

Amid cheers, he said the US needed greater force levels, more aircraft and better cyber capabilities which would drive innovation and job growth across the country.

During the campaign he promised a surge in military spending as part of his campaign to make America great again. This week, the White House announced it would be adding $54 billion (£43 bil- lion) to the defence budget – about a 10 percent increase.

The trip is the latest away day for a president who appears increasingly keen to escape the White House for a chance to show he is making good on his promises. His administration has been hit repeatedly by leaks suggesting splits and chaos at the heart of his team. Mr Trump has instead revelled in campaign-style events where he can hammer home his promises to “make America win again”.

He said the Navy was essential for taking the war to America’s enemies and that anyone who challenged US power would be in “big, big trouble”.

“We’re going to have the finest equipment in the world. Planes, ships and everything else,” he promised.