Washington eyes foreign warships from Japan, South Korea, Turkey amid China naval threat

The United States is reconsidering its century-old policy of not purchasing warships from foreign shipyards due to concerns over China's expanding navy and the aging US fleet. The US Defense Department plans to issue a tender in October for foreign-built frigates, aiming to reduce costs and accelerate production. Key contenders for this tender include South Korea, Japan, and Turkey. Turkey's participation follows discussions between President Erdogan and President Trump, despite complicated security ties between the two nations. The tender will evaluate frigates from these countries, with each offering distinct advantages:

• Turkey's Istanbul-class frigate: Smaller, with lower production costs and multiple production lines.
• South Korea's Chungnam-class frigate: Larger, with strong industrial capabilities for rapid production.
• Japan's Mogami-class frigate: The largest and most heavily armed, featuring high automation for a reduced crew.