The Pentagon is considering a dramatic shift in its naval strategy by proposing to use allied shipyards in Japan and South Korea to build new U.S. warships.
This surprising idea stems from a critical problem: America's own shipbuilding industry is struggling to deliver new ships on time and on budget. A key trigger was the recent cancellation of four Constellation-class frigates, the Navy's own next-generation surface combatant. Persistent design issues and a three-year delay forced the Navy to look for faster, more reliable alternatives. The domestic industrial base simply cannot produce the number of ships needed at the required pace.
Adding to the urgency is the rapid expansion of China's navy, known as the PLAN. According to the Department of Defense, China's fleet has already surpassed 370 ships and is on track to reach 435 by 2030. This growing gap in naval power is a major concern for U.S. military planners, who are now prioritizing fleet size and speed of delivery over developing new designs from scratch.
This is where 'friendshoring' comes into play. Japan and South Korea are ideal partners for this initiative. Both countries have highly efficient shipyards with a proven track record of building advanced warships, such as Japan's Mogami-class and South Korea's Daegu-class frigates. These ships are modern, designed for rapid and modular construction, and their shipyards are already familiar with integrating U.S. weapon systems like the Aegis combat system.
The proposed $1.85 billion for a "feasibility study" is more than just research funding. At the reported cost of a Mogami-class frigate (around $400 million), this amount could potentially fund the initial design work and long-lead material procurement for four to five ships. It signals a serious intent to move quickly from study to production if Congress gives the green light.
However, there is a major legal obstacle. A U.S. law, 10 U.S.C. §8679, prohibits the construction of Navy vessels in foreign shipyards. To proceed, the Pentagon would need Congress to grant a special waiver or new authority. This sets the stage for a significant political debate, weighing the need for a larger fleet against the long-standing policy of building warships in American yards. The outcome will determine whether the U.S. can quickly bridge its naval gap by relying on its closest allies.
- Friendshoring: The practice of relocating supply chains to countries that are political and economic allies, as opposed to offshoring to the cheapest location.
- Frigate: A type of warship that is smaller than a destroyer but larger than a corvette. They are typically used for escort missions, anti-submarine warfare, and patrol.
- RDT&E: An acronym for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, a phase of the U.S. government budgeting and procurement process.