US to Lift Foreign Shipbuilding Ban and Tender Frigates from Allies
The US Navy will lift a century-old ban on foreign shipbuilding to counter China's fleet, launching a tender in October involving shipyards from South Korea, Japan, and Turkey.
Nearly a century ago, the US Congress banned the Navy from purchasing vessels from foreign shipyards to protect domestic shipbuilding and maintain national independence. However, the need to counter the rapid expansion of the Chinese fleet and the aging of the US Navy will force Washington to lift this restriction. The US has struggled to reach its self-imposed target of 300 operational combat ships, while China fields approximately 400, including an increasing number of advanced modern vessels.
The US Department of Defense is scheduled to publish its first tender in October for the procurement of frigates from foreign shipyards. To save time and costs, foreign shipyards will be allowed to build the initial vessels themselves while training American yards to construct the rest. The tender will feature contenders from two close US allies: South Korea and Japan, a former adversary against which the US fought until 81 years ago, a war that ended with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Turkey Joins the Frigate Competition
Following a conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump at last month's NATO summit, Turkey will also join the competition. Over the past decade, Erdogan has funneled billions into the domestic defense industry, which has made significant strides in shipbuilding.
However, bilateral defense relations remain complex. Turkey has not been readmitted to the F-35 program despite Erdogan's persistent pressure, having been ousted after purchasing Russian air defense systems that posed a risk of exposing the stealth aircraft's secrets. Erdogan also blocked the US from launching attacks against Iran from Turkish soil. Nevertheless, Trump agreed to supply Turkey with jet engines for the domestic Kaan stealth fighter under development. To date, the US has not procured Turkish weapon systems—unlike its purchases from Israel—and such a move would represent a major upgrade in defense ties. It remains unclear whether Trump will manage to secure congressional approval for billions in arms purchases from Turkey.
Contender Specifications: Istanbul, Chungnam, and Mogami
Turkey's offering is the Istanbul-class frigate, which is smaller than the others, measuring 113 meters in length with a displacement of approximately 3,100 tons. The vessel is equipped with 16 modular vertical launch system (VLS) cells, a 76mm main gun, domestically produced Atmaca anti-ship missiles, and a Phalanx close-in weapon system. Its radar is based on an AESA system developed by domestic firm Aselsan. Its standout advantages are low production costs and the availability of multiple production lines across private shipyards in Turkey, which has already ordered eight vessels, alongside two ordered by Indonesia.
The South Korean Chungnam-class frigate is larger and heavier, measuring about 130 meters in length with a displacement of roughly 4,300 tons. It is armed with a heavy 127mm (5-inch) gun, 16 vertical launch cells, and a multi-role AESA radar integrated with an advanced electronic mast. South Korea's primary advantage lies in the immense industrial capacity of shipyards HD HHI and Hanwha Ocean, which can produce combat ships at an unprecedented rate. South Korea has ordered six vessels so far.
Japan's Mogami-class is the largest and most heavily armed of the group, with lengths ranging from 133 to 142 meters and a displacement reaching approximately 5,500 tons. Its armament includes a 127mm gun, 16 to 32 Mk 41 vertical launch system cells, and Type 17 anti-ship cruise missiles. The frigate stands out for its advanced enclosed stealth mast (UNICORN) integrated with an AESA radar. Its key advantage is an exceptional level of automation that allows the vessel to operate with a crew of only about 90 personnel—roughly half the standard complement for comparable Western frigates. Japan has ordered 10 ships.
