Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Photo: U.S. Naval Institute/facebook.com
The US Navy will build two new nuclear-powered aircraft carriers that will be named after former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. This was announced by current President Joe Biden during a speech on Monday.
Aircraft carriers USS Clinton and USS Bush
“The future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and USS George W. Bush (CVN 83) will begin construction in the coming years,” Biden said, continuing the tradition of naming aircraft carriers after prominent leaders of the country.
These nuclear-powered aircraft carriers will be key elements in the projection of American power on the global stage. The US already has 11 such ships, more than any other country in the world.
Historical context
- Bill Clinton (President from 1993-2001) led the country during major international operations, including air strikes in Iraq and Yugoslavia.
- George W. Bush (President of the United States from 2001 to 2009) left his mark with the “war on terror” that began after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and two decades of conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
George W. Bush is continuing the family tradition, as his father, George W. Bush, already has an aircraft carrier that has been in service since 2009.
Officials’ reactions
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin welcomed the decision to name the ships after two former presidents.
“Like their eponyms, these aircraft carriers and their crews will work for national security, reflect our history, and inspire future generations to serve our great republic,” the Pentagon chief said.
Aircraft carriers are the backbone of the US global military strategy, enabling the country to respond quickly to challenges anywhere in the world. Their construction strengthens the position of the United States as a leading maritime power and guarantor of security in the international arena.
