These Naval Ships Have Been Operating for Longer Than You’ve Been Alive

United States President Donald Trump recently shared his commitment to revitalizing the U.S. military through shipbuilding and an increased naval focus. Trump stated the need to build ships “very fast and very soon,” a move that many believe is in direct reaction to the growth of naval power in China. The United States is still […] The post These Naval Ships Have Been Operating for Longer Than You’ve Been Alive appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Mar 14, 2025 - 14:16

These Naval Ships Have Been Operating for Longer Than You’ve Been Alive

United States President Donald Trump recently shared his commitment to revitalizing the U.S. military through shipbuilding and an increased naval focus. Trump stated the need to build ships “very fast and very soon,” a move that many believe is in direct reaction to the growth of naval power in China. The United States is still considered to be the most powerful naval force in the world, but China has managed to outpace the U.S. in the number of naval ships it owns. Ideally for China, this allows the country to project more force across oceans. Trump’s call for additional ships also comes at a time when more ships are being decommissioned than funded. According to reporting from VOA, fifteen naval ships were decommissioned last year while just six were funded; in 2025, six ships will be funded, but nineteen will be decommissioned. If the United States wants to maintain its position at the top of the naval food chain, so to speak, identifying avenues to improve naval force — and increase our fleet of naval vessels — is incredibly imperative. (Check out the 20 most incredible facts about the U.S. Navy.)

Although there is a relatively urgent need for the U.S. Navy to commission and deploy new naval ships, the nation still holds an impressive number of ships commissioned in the 1970s and 1980s — many of which are still receiving accolades and/or in operation today. Admittedly, older ships can be more challenging and sometimes pricier to maintain. At the same time, many of the tried-and-true older naval vessels in operation have far outlasted expectations and shown their continued prowess in supporting American military operations. But what are some of those older naval vessels? Here, 24/7 Wall St. compared data from the Naval Vessel Register and the World Directory of Modern Military Warships to learn more about which commissioned naval vessels have served in our nation’s military for at least 35 years or more. The ships and submarines are ranked in ascending order, from newest to oldest. Some of the ships have been recently decommissioned, but were still included.

This previously published story was updated on March 14, 2025 to reflect President Donald Trump’s recent statements regarding the need to improve shipbuilding and naval operations.

The Importance of the Navy

US+navy+Helicopter+carrier | An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter lands aboard USS Bulkeley.

Over 75% of the Earth is covered by the ocean — we cannot even comprehend its actual vastness. Of course, this means that overseas conflicts requires navigating the aquatic terrain. The ocean also represents a valuable portal for trade and travel. The U.S. Navy, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, has several purposes:

Forward presence: deploying ships to areas of strategic interest
Deterrence: discouraging enemies from attacking the U.S. or its allies
Power projection: threatening strikes and highlighting American military capabilities
Sea control: exercising control for the purpose of blockades or shipping
Humanitarian aid: providing necessary resources to areas affected by conflict or natural disaster
Maritime security: protecting against pirates, drug trafficking

What’s Interesting About the U.S. Navy

One interesting advantage of the U.S. Navy is that it is considered a blue-water navy, which means American ships can be deployed and operated across the open ocean. This is in contrast to other countries with green-water or brown-water navies that can only operate on rivers or estuaries.

Why We’re Talking Naval Power Now

USS Cape St. George Launches Tomahawk Missiles On Iraq

Right now, the U.S. Navy is having some challenges with shipbuilding and the industry. Between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and more recent economic destabilization worldwide, several suppliers of important parts have gone under. George Whittier, the CEO of Fairbanks Morse Defense, explained: “We should have two engine suppliers. But the reality is, if the Navy is only going to build six ships a year, it’s a struggle to keep one engine supplier in business, let alone two.”

The ships and submarines used by the U.S. Navy represent a significant American investment and highlight the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a strong, capable fleet. To last as long as some of these ships do isn’t a mistake. Instead, it signifies that the ship is reliable and well-maintained. However, there is an urgent need to find ways to both build and fix ships to ensure that the U.S. Navy remains operational, active, and ready to step in. One possible step forward is collaborating with Pacific allies on shipbuilding. Understanding which vessels the U.S. Navy has now gives you a better idea of where they might want to advance the fleet in the future.