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US looks to warship designs from Japan, South Korea and Turkey, reports say

Washington is considering using Japanese, South Korean or Turkish frigate designs to expand the country’s naval fleet as the American shipbuilding industry struggles to meet…

By Samantha Johnson / September 3, 2026
Washington is considering using Japanese, South Korean or Turkish frigate designs to expand the country’s naval fleet as the American shipbuilding industry struggles to meet demand, according to US media reports.
The move comes after President Donald Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum on August 13 calling for the use of foreign shipbuilding capacity and investment.

However, the plan is likely to face strong opposition in Congress.

Potential contenders for the US Navy’s new guided-missile frigate include Japan’s Mogami-class, South Korea’s Chungnam-class and Turkey’s Istanbul-class, USNI News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

“The president has directed the navy to aggressively increase domestic shipbuilding capacity, including leveraging the proven shipbuilding skills and industrial expertise of our allies,” US Navy spokesman Ron Flanders was quoted as saying.

US President Donald Trump’s memorandum said it was “in the national security interest” to allow foreign shipbuilding capacity and investment. Photo: Reuters
US President Donald Trump’s memorandum said it was “in the national security interest” to allow foreign shipbuilding capacity and investment. Photo: Reuters

According to the report, the cooperation could follow the “Finland model”. That would see foreign shipbuilders constructing the first two hulls and investing in US facilities, workforce, technologies and supply chains before production is transferred to American shipyards.

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