(Seoul, South Korea, CNA News) The US military news website Breaking Defense reported that the Pentagon, in response to intensifying competition with China, is considering using shipyards in South Korea or Japan to build US Navy vessels. This is intended to address challenges facing American shipbuilding and to strengthen defense relations with allies.
According to The Korea Herald, citing the Breaking Defense report, this plan includes $1.85 billion (approximately NT$58.3 billion) in naval funding requested within a $350 billion omnibus budget package. The funds are designated for potential shipbuilding projects and to assist the US Navy in evaluating allied shipyard capabilities.
Breaking Defense, citing a White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) official, reported that Washington is funding a program to build the basic structures—hulls, machinery, and electrical systems—of up to two Navy vessels in South Korea or Japan. These would then be returned to the US, where American defense contractors would integrate combat systems and other military technologies.
According to the official, South Korean and Japanese companies can build advanced vessels at lower costs compared to US shipyards, making them a more economical option for expanding US naval capabilities. This could also lower overall shipbuilding prices by promoting competition among builders.
The report stated that potential partners for the Pentagon include South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries, as well as Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Japan Marine United.
The report noted that the US faces increasing pressure from China's growing military power while also dealing with limited domestic shipbuilding capacity. South Korean shipyards have already strengthened cooperation with the US Navy through maintenance and overhaul contracts and the acquisition of a US shipyard. (Editor: Chang Cheng-chien) 1150605
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- Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
- Category: 政策