U.S. Considering Foreign Frigate Designs from South Korea, Japan, and Turkey

The United States is considering frigate designs from South Korea, Japan, and Turkey for a new class of warships as it seeks to rebuild its navy and shipbuilding industry through cooperation with trusted allies. According to a report from USNI News, the U.S. Naval Institute's news outlet, the White House and the U.S. Navy are evaluating these designs for a competition. This process could involve building up to two ships in foreign shipyards before production transitions to U.S. yards, a move that would break with more than a century of domestic naval construction.

The specific designs under consideration include the Chungnam-class guided-missile frigate from South Korea, the export version of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' FFM Mogami-class guided-missile frigate from Japan, and the Istanbul-class guided-missile frigate from Turkey. In South Korea, the Chungnam-class project involves six ships built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, SK Oceanplant, and Hanwha Ocean.

This initiative follows a national security memorandum signed last month by U.S. President Donald Trump, which permits foreign shipbuilders to construct up to two ships in their parent yards for delivery to the United States. Consequently, acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao directed William Mahan, the office of the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, to oversee a study on international combatants, roll-on, roll-off cargo vessels, and consolidated cargo replenishment at sea tankers for Military Sealift Command. The assessment is due by November 12, 2026.

Shipbuilding cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. has increased recently. Seoul has committed to investing 150 billion U.S. dollars in the U.S. shipbuilding sector as part of a larger 350 billion U.S. dollar investment pledge made under a bilateral trade and investment deal last year.