US prepares tender for foreign frigates — Jerusalem Post
In the United States, the Pentagon is preparing a tender to purchase foreign-made frigates in order to increase the capabilities of the US Navy. Shipbuilding companies from Japan, South Korea and Türkiye are expected to take part in the competition, which the US Department of Defense plans to announce in October, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Under the plan, foreign manufacturers will be able to build some of the ships and help US shipyards master the production of additional frigates. The Pentagon expects this to reduce costs and speed up construction.
The US fleet and China
The United States is having difficulty reaching its goal of maintaining 300 combat-ready warships. At the same time, China's navy has grown to approximately 400 vessels, and its composition is increasingly being replenished with modern ships. Against the backdrop of the aging US fleet, Washington is reviewing a long-standing policy: about a century ago, Congress prohibited the US Navy from purchasing ships from foreign shipyards in order to protect the national shipbuilding industry.
Japan's and South Korea's proposals
Japan may offer Mogami-class frigates, 133 to 142 meters long and with a displacement of about 5,500 tonnes. They have a 127 mm gun, 16 to 32 Mk 41 vertical launch system cells, Type 17 missiles and a UNICORN mast integrated with an AESA radar. Thanks to extensive automation, such a ship's crew can consist of about 90 people. Japan has ordered 10 frigates of this class.
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South Korea is expected to offer a Chungnam-class frigate approximately 130 meters long and with a displacement of about 4,300 tonnes. The ship is armed with a 127 mm gun, has 16 vertical launch cells and a multifunction AESA radar. The production capabilities of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean are cited as an advantage of the South Korean proposal. South Korea has ordered six ships of this class.
Turkish participant
Türkiye is expected to present an Istanbul-class frigate, 113 meters long and with a displacement of about 3,100 tonnes. It is equipped with 16 modular vertical launch cells, a 76 mm gun, Atmaca anti-ship missiles, a Phalanx system and an AESA radar made by Aselsan. Türkiye has ordered eight ships of this class, while Indonesia has ordered two more.
Türkiye's participation is linked to a conversation between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit last month. At the same time, it remains unclear whether Trump will be able to secure congressional approval for a multibillion-dollar purchase of Turkish ships.
