About a century ago, Congress barred the US Navy from buying ships from foreign shipyards to protect the American shipbuilding industry and preserve domestic capabilities. But growing concerns over China’s rapidly expanding navy and the aging of the US fleet are now pushing Washington to reconsider that long-standing policy.
The United States has struggled to reach its goal of maintaining 300 operational warships, while China’s navy has expanded to around 400 vessels. Beijing’s fleet also increasingly includes modern ships that represent a significant advance over earlier generations.
The US Defense Department is expected to issue its first tender in October for the purchase of frigates from foreign shipyards. Under the plan, foreign shipbuilders could construct some of the vessels themselves while helping train American shipyards to build additional ships in the future, a move intended to reduce costs and speed up production.
The tender is expected to include ships from two close US allies, South Korea and Japan. Japan, which fought against the United States during World War II, became a US ally after the war ended 81 years ago with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A third contender is also expected to join the competition. After a conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump at last month’s NATO summit, Turkey will also participate in the tender.
Over the past decade, Erdogan has invested billions of dollars in Turkey’s domestic defense industry, which has expanded into advanced shipbuilding capabilities. However, security ties between Washington and Ankara remain complicated.
Turkey has not been returned to the F-35 fighter jet program despite Erdogan’s efforts after being removed from the project over its purchase of Russian air defense systems. The US argued that the systems could have exposed sensitive information about the aircraft’s stealth capabilities.
Erdogan also prevented the US from launching attacks against Iran from Turkish territory. Despite those tensions, Trump agreed to provide Turkey with jet engines for the Kaan stealth fighter aircraft that Ankara is developing.
The US has never previously purchased Turkish weapons systems, unlike its defense acquisitions from Israel. A decision to purchase Turkish-built naval vessels would therefore represent a significant step forward in the defense relationship between the two countries.
It remains unclear whether Trump could secure congressional approval for a multibillion-dollar purchase from Turkey.
Turkey’s Istanbul-class frigate
The Istanbul-class frigate that Turkey is expected to offer is smaller than its competitors, 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 76 mm main gun, locally produced Atmaca anti-ship missiles, and a Phalanx close-in weapon system.
Its radar is based on an AESA system developed by Turkish defense company Aselsan.
The frigate’s main advantages are its lower production costs and the availability of multiple production lines at private shipyards across Turkey. Turkey has already ordered eight vessels of the class, while Indonesia has ordered two.
South Korea’s Chungnam-class frigate
South Korea’s Chungnam-class frigate is larger and heavier than the Turkish vessel, measuring approximately 130 meters in length with a displacement of around 4,300 tons.
The frigate is armed with a 127 mm (5-inch) gun, 16 vertical launch cells, and a multifunction AESA radar integrated into an advanced electronic mast.
South Korea’s main advantage lies in the industrial capabilities of major shipbuilders HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, which can produce warships at a rapid pace.
South Korea has ordered six vessels of the class so far.
Japan’s Mogami-class frigate
Japan’s Mogami-class frigate is the largest and most heavily armed of the three competitors. The vessel ranges from 133 to 142 meters in length and has a displacement of approximately 5,500 tons.
Its weapons systems include a 127 mm (5-inch) gun, 16 to 32 Mk 41 vertical launch cells, and Type 17 missiles.
The frigate is notable for its advanced enclosed stealth mast, known as UNICORN, which is integrated with an AESA radar system.
Its main advantage is its high level of automation, allowing the ship to operate with only about 90 crew members, roughly half the number typically required for comparable Western frigates.
Japan has ordered 10 ships of the class.