US looks to warship designs from Japan, South Korea and Turkey, reports say
Washington is contemplating utilizing Japanese, South Korean, or Turkish frigate designs to enhance the country’s naval fleet amidst challenges faced by the American shipbuilding industry, as per reports from US media sources.
President Trump’s Directive Sparks Controversy
The decision comes following President Donald Trump’s signing of a National Security Presidential Memorandum on August 13, urging the utilization of foreign shipbuilding capacity and investment. However, this plan is anticipated to encounter strong opposition in Congress.
Potential Contenders for US Navy’s New Frigate
Reports from USNI News reveal that likely candidates for the US Navy’s new guided-missile frigate include Japan’s Mogami-class, South Korea’s Chungnam-class, and Turkey’s Istanbul-class. The directive from President Trump aims to boost domestic shipbuilding capacity by leveraging the expertise of allied nations in shipbuilding.
“The president has directed the navy to aggressively increase domestic shipbuilding capacity, including leveraging the proven shipbuilding skills and industrial expertise of our allies,” stated US Navy spokesman Ron Flanders.
According to sources, the collaboration could emulate the “Finland model,” where foreign shipbuilders would construct the initial two hulls, investing in US facilities, workforce, technologies, and supply chains before transitioning production to American shipyards.
The initiative to explore foreign frigate designs signifies a strategic move by the US to address the current challenges faced by its shipbuilding industry while bolstering its naval capabilities with cutting-edge vessels.
