US Navy Plans $2 Billion Investment in Foreign Shipbuilding Study and Procurement
The U.S. Navy is planning to allocate $2 billion in its upcoming budget for studies and potential procurement of foreign shipbuilding options. This initiative aims to explore the construction of frigates or destroyers in foreign shipyards, with a focus on joint ventures between foreign and domestic entities. The model is inspired by the Coast Guard's icebreaker procurement program, which involves building initial vessels overseas and subsequent ones in the U.S. with foreign assistance. This move comes amid delays in the Navy's current shipbuilding programs, including the cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate and a review of the Ford-class carrier series. The Navy's decision to look abroad is partly due to a skilled labor shortage in the U.S., prompting interest in countries like Korea and Japan, which have experience in building similar naval vessels. 
