By Benjamin Cuaresma
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Navy is now openly considering the possibility of constructing some naval vessels overseas as America struggles with shrinking shipyard capacity and delays in expanding its fleet.
In its newly released long-term shipbuilding strategy, the Navy acknowledged for the first time that allied foreign shipbuilders may be needed to help meet production timelines if domestic shipyards cannot keep pace with growing military demands.
The move highlights mounting concerns within the Pentagon over the declining size of the US naval fleet, which has fallen to its lowest number of operational ships since before World War I.
Despite plans for a major naval buildup under a proposed $1.5-trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027, military officials say the bigger challenge is not funding — but the lack of shipbuilding infrastructure and workforce capacity inside the United States.
Since the 1970s, at least 14 major American defense shipyards have shut down, while only one new large-scale facility has opened during the same period. Officials warned that existing shipyards may be unable to support ambitious expansion plans for a future “Golden Fleet,” including proposals for new nuclear-powered battleships.
Under the new strategy, the Navy said American shipbuilding remains the priority but confirmed it would evaluate whether allied nations could supplement production when US facilities cannot meet required deadlines.
Attention has increasingly shifted toward Asian allies such as Japan and South Korea, both of which possess some of the world’s largest and most advanced shipbuilding industries.
Together with China, the three Asian nations account for more than 90 percent of global ship production.
During the administration of former US President Joe Biden, then-Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro visited shipyards in Japan and South Korea to explore possible cooperation on naval construction projects.
Military analysts have argued that both countries are capable of producing advanced warships faster and more efficiently than current American shipyards.
However, the idea has reportedly faced resistance from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly pushed for military manufacturing to remain entirely within the United States.
Reports also noted that former Navy Secretary John Phelan publicly supported overseas shipbuilding options shortly before his removal from office, fueling speculation that the issue contributed to tensions within the administration.
While opposition remains over building combat warships abroad, the Navy is now seeking congressional approval to allow allied countries to assist in constructing auxiliary vessels and selected non-sensitive components for future combat ships.
Under the proposal, foreign partners could manufacture support ships and certain modules, while sensitive systems integration, testing, and final assembly would still take place in the United States.
The Navy argued that this arrangement would speed up production while preserving American control over classified technologies and core military capabilities.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao defended the strategy, saying the United States faces a critical moment in rebuilding its maritime dominance and industrial base amid intensifying global competition.
The debate now centers on whether the Trump administration will fully support increased reliance on allied shipyards, particularly as Washington continues balancing national security concerns, trade policies, and efforts to revive domestic manufacturing.
ia/xf
