U.S. Senate Military Committee Pushes for Overseas Construction of Non-Combat Naval Vessels

U.S. Navy special operations combatants demonstrate firing techniques aboard a high-speed vessel during the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week event in Tampa, Florida, on May 20. [Photo=AFP/Yonhap]

The United States is moving forward with plans to allow the construction of certain non-combat naval vessels at overseas shipyards, including those in allied countries.

On June 16, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee released a summary of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2027, which includes provisions permitting the procurement of up to two bulk fuel carriers and strategic sealift vessels from foreign shipyards.

However, the committee emphasized that foreign investment in the U.S. maritime industry is necessary to restore domestic production and supply chains. This suggests a long-term strategy to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industry while allowing some overseas construction.

The provision specifically targets auxiliary vessels, such as bulk fuel carriers and strategic sealift ships, rather than combat ships. Current federal law generally restricts the overseas construction of U.S. Navy vessels, but if the NDAA is finalized, it could create exceptions for non-combat ships.

Similar discussions are taking place in the House of Representatives. The draft of the fiscal year 2027 defense budget bill prepared by the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee reportedly narrows the budget restrictions on overseas ship construction to combat vessels only.

Both the Senate and House bills will undergo final approval through floor deliberations and reconciliation between the two chambers. Once signed by the president, they will become law.

The U.S. Congress's move to allow some naval vessels to be built overseas is interpreted as an effort to secure ships more quickly amid maritime competition with China. The U.S. shipbuilding industry has been perceived as weakened, and reviving related industries in a short time has been deemed challenging.

As a result, there are expectations that South Korea and other allied shipbuilding industries could play a role in the construction of U.S. Navy auxiliary vessels and the rebuilding of the American shipbuilding sector. This could also positively impact U.S.-South Korea shipbuilding cooperation and the $150 billion "Muskga" project.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Hwang Jin Hyun jinhyun97@ajunews.com