US President Donald Trump has suggested that shipbuilders from South Korea could significantly contribute to the modernization and expansion of the United States Navy. This proposal includes the potential purchase of naval vessels constructed outside the US. During his address at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit, Trump emphasized the urgent need to upgrade the aging naval fleet and mentioned that the US is contemplating closer collaboration with South Korean companies and others worldwide.
Highlighting plans to advance the fleet, Trump pointed to the construction of two National Security Multi-Mission Vessels at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia. This initiative is part of a project valued at around $1.5 billion. The proposal arises amidst increasing defense collaboration between the US and South Korea. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung disclosed that President Trump inquired if South Korea could rapidly build ten US naval ships, a matter that was further discussed in recent international meetings.
In line with these developments, the Pentagon and the US Navy have reached out to prominent South Korean shipbuilders, such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, to evaluate their capabilities in designing and constructing combat vessels. Hanwha, having acquired shipyard facilities in Philadelphia in 2024, appears well-positioned to leverage this potential partnership. The company is also actively pursuing licenses to build military ships on US soil.
Meanwhile, HD Hyundai and Samsung Heavy Industries have strengthened their ties with American companies to carve a niche in the US naval shipbuilding market. Despite these positive strides towards collaboration, substantial legal challenges persist. Current US regulations prohibit the construction of Navy ships outside the country, meaning that any move towards overseas production would necessitate legislative approval or special exemptions to proceed.