U.S. Navy Reviews Japanese, South Korean, Turkish Frigate Designs

The U.S. Navy is considering designs from Japan, South Korea, and Turkey for a new class of frigates, a potential policy shift that could see the first ships built in foreign shipyards before production moves to the United States. The move, aimed at rapidly expanding the fleet, would mark a significant break from more than a century of domestic naval construction. According to reports, the designs under review are Japan's Mogami-class frigate, South Korea's Chungnam-class frigate, and Turkey's Istanbul-class frigate. The consideration follows a White House memorandum issued in August that invoked a national security interest waiver, allowing the Pentagon to bypass longstanding laws that restrict foreign-built warships from entering U.S. naval service. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has since directed a study on international combatants and support vessels, which is due by November 12, 2026. One option being explored is the "Finland model," where the first one or two ships would be built at a foreign shipyard. The foreign company would then invest in U.S. shipyards and transfer technology, with subsequent production shifting to American facilities.