WASHINGTON, D.C. — This procurement effort marks a potential shift in United States naval acquisition policy. Approximately one century ago, the US Congress barred the US Navy from buying ships from foreign shipyards. Under the current plan, foreign shipbuilders could construct some vessels and help train American shipyards to build additional ships.

Turkey will participate in the frigate tender following a conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in August 2026. The participation represents a development for Ankara, as the US has never previously purchased Turkish weapons systems. Turkey was removed from the F-35 fighter jet program over its purchase of Russian air defense systems.

In addition to the frigate opportunity, US President Donald Trump agreed to provide Turkey with jet engines for the Kaan stealth fighter aircraft. Turkey seeks to integrate into US defense supply chains following previous exclusions from the F-35 program.

Turkey’s bid would likely feature the Istanbul-class frigate, which measures 113 meters in length with a displacement of approximately 3,100 tons. The vessel is equipped with 16 modular vertical launch system cells, a 76 mm main gun, Atmaca anti-ship missiles, and a Phalanx close-in weapon system. The Istanbul-class frigate’s radar is based on an AESA system developed by Turkish defense company Aselsan. Turkey has ordered eight Istanbul-class vessels, and Indonesia has ordered two.

South Korea is also expanding its naval capabilities with indigenous systems. In May 2026, US President Donald Trump agreed to allow South Korea to develop its own nuclear-powered submarines. Seoul is pursuing a new class of 7,000-ton destroyers (KDDX) equipped primarily with indigenous systems. Hanwha Ocean will design and construct the first KDDX, which is expected to enter service in 2032.

Hanwha Ocean has won a competition to supply a frigate to Thailand, demonstrating recent export success. The South Korean contender for the US contract is the Chungnam-class frigate, which measures approximately 130 meters in length with a displacement of around 4,300 tons. The Chungnam-class frigate is armed with a 127 mm gun, 16 vertical launch cells, and a multifunction AESA radar. South Korea has ordered six Chungnam-class vessels.

Japan offers the Mogami-class frigate, which ranges from 133 to 142 meters in length and has a displacement of approximately 5,500 tons. The Mogami-class frigate includes a 127 mm gun, 16 to 32 Mk 41 vertical launch cells, and Type 17 missiles. The vessel features an advanced enclosed stealth mast known as UNICORN, integrated with an AESA radar system.

The Mogami-class frigate can operate with about 90 crew members. Japan has ordered 10 Mogami-class ships.

In broader regional developments, the first ASEV is being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the second by Japan Marine United. These developments occur against a backdrop of increasing naval production in Asia. As of 2024, the People’s Liberation Army Navy had 332 warships compared to the US Navy’s 319. China’s four major shipyards produced 39 warships with a total displacement of 550,000 tonnes between 2019 and 2023.

Timeline

US President Donald Trump agreed in May 2026 to allow South Korea to develop its own nuclear-powered submarines.

Hanwha Ocean has won a competition to supply a frigate to Thailand. The International Trade Commission published notice titled "Welded Stainless Steel Line and Pressure Pipe From India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates; Determinations" on 2026-09-03. The International Trade Commission published notice titled "Corrugated Pizza Boxes From China, Malaysia, and Turkey; Institution of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations and Scheduling of Preliminary Phase Investigations" on 2026-09-14. The US Department of Defense is expected to issue the frigate tender in October 2026.

What's New

South Korea is pursuing a new class of 7,000-ton destroyers (KDDX) equipped primarily with indigenous systems. The first ASEV is being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the second by Japan Marine United.

Why It Matters

The US Department of Defense is preparing a tender for the purchase of frigates from foreign shipyards, a move that challenges a prohibition established approximately one century ago when the US Congress barred the US Navy from buying ships from foreign shipyards. The United States has struggled to reach its goal of maintaining 300 operational warships, while China’s navy has expanded to around 400 vessels. This numerical disadvantage drives the need for expanded procurement options.

The participation of Turkey, Japan, and South Korea introduces advanced domestically developed warships featuring AESA radars and stealth technology into the US procurement process. Turkey seeks to integrate into US defense supply chains following previous exclusions from the F-35 program, while South Korea expands its naval capabilities with indigenous systems. The US Department of Defense is expected to issue the frigate tender in October 2026, with foreign shipbuilders potentially constructing some vessels and helping train American shipyards to build additional ships.