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

U.S. Navy special operations combatants demonstrate firing on 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 to allow some non-combat naval vessels to be constructed at overseas shipyards, including those in allied countries.

On June 16, the Senate Armed Services Committee released a summary of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027 on its website. The committee's proposal includes provisions to permit the procurement of up to two auxiliary vessels, such as bulk fuel carriers and strategic sealift ships, from foreign shipyards.

However, the Senate committee emphasized that it requires foreign investment in the U.S. maritime industrial base to ensure the production and supply chain of subsequent vessels returns to the United States. This approach suggests a balance between allowing some overseas construction while ultimately strengthening the domestic shipbuilding and maritime industry.

The provision specifically targets auxiliary vessels, excluding combat ships. Current U.S. law generally restricts the overseas construction of 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 after deliberation in their respective 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 seen as a response to the need for quicker acquisition of ships amid maritime competition with China. The U.S. shipbuilding industry has been perceived as weakened, making it challenging to revitalize related sectors in the short term.

As a result, there are expectations that the shipbuilding industries in allied countries, including South Korea, could play a role in the construction of auxiliary vessels for the U.S. Navy and in the rebuilding of the American shipbuilding industry. This could also positively impact U.S.-South Korea shipbuilding cooperation and the $150 billion 'Marska' project.

* This article has been translated by AI.