Asian Shipyards in Japan, South Korea, and Philippines Crucial for U.S. Warship Maintenance in Western Pacific
The U.S. Navy is increasingly relying on shipyards in allied nations like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of its naval vessels in the Western Pacific. This strategy allows U.S. Seventh Fleet vessels to undergo complex overhauls closer to potential conflict zones, reducing the need to recall ships to the U.S. mainland for repairs. While U.S. law mandates that major warships be built domestically, outsourcing MRO to foreign yards offers greater flexibility, especially for forward-deployed vessels. Naval vessels homeported outside the United States are not strictly prohibited from receiving foreign MRO services, and deployed U.S.-homeported ships can also be serviced by foreign workers under specific conditions. This approach is particularly vital given the significant distance from the continental U.S. and Washington’s intensifying strategic competition with Beijing. 
