South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Japan’s Mogami-class frigate is one of three foreign designs reportedly being evaluated by the US Navy. (Photo: Australian Defence Imagery)
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
The US Navy’s (USN) consideration of South Korean, Japanese and Turkish frigate designs has largely been discussed as a three-way contest between individual warships. Read against the terms of the so-called “Finland model” that the White House wants to apply, the question is which nation’s defence-industrial base stands to gain the most from supplying Washington.
USNI News reported on 1 September 2026 that the White House and USN were weighing designs including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ (MHI) export Mogami-class frigate, South Korea’s Chungnam-class and Turkey’s Istanbul-class, citing three industry sources familiar with the deliberations. An international competition
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Country-focused updates
-
![UK eyes lightweight satellite communications for UAVs]()
UK eyes lightweight satellite communications for UAVs
The UK is seeking to extend the operational reach of uncrewed aerial vehicles, reflecting growing demand for compact, energy-efficient technology to support beyond-line-of-sight operations.
-
![India’s military integration drive faces interoperability hurdles]()
India’s military integration drive faces interoperability hurdles
Senior military leaders have highlighted the need for interoperable systems, common data standards and closer cooperation between India's armed services.
-
![All eyes on Royal Navy’s Type 93 market engagement as industry prepares bids]()
All eyes on Royal Navy’s Type 93 market engagement as industry prepares bids
Responses are due by 29 October as the Royal Navy tests the market, with BAE Systems’ Herne and MSubs’ Excalibur setting up a contest where payloads may decide the winner.
