US Navy Shipbuilding in Crisis: South Korean Shipyards Offer a Solution
Washington/Seoul | October 20, 2025
The United States Navy’s shipbuilding programs are facing a serious crisis, with delays and cost overruns mounting year after year. Now, South Korea’s top shipyards are stepping forward, claiming they have the expertise and efficiency to help fix the mess.
US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan didn’t mince words in June, admitting to Congress, “All of our programs are a mess. I think our best one is six months late and 57% over budget … That is the best one.” These problems are hardly new—American shipbuilding programs have long struggled to meet deadlines and budgets while trying to keep pace with the growing Chinese naval fleet.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan and Hanwha Ocean in Geoje are building some of the world’s most advanced warships on time and within budget. CNN’s recent visit to the facilities revealed massive, state-of-the-art yards producing guided-missile destroyers, frigates, and submarines efficiently. At Hanwha, for instance, a 122-meter, 3,100-ton frigate building facility was completed in just 14 months, with each frigate expected to take about three years—roughly the same as the delays currently plaguing the US’s Constellation-class program.
South Korean officials emphasized their willingness to share technology and shipbuilding know-how with the US Navy. Their systems, streamlined processes, and advanced infrastructure allow them to deliver modern naval vessels with precision, a stark contrast to the repeated setbacks in American shipyards. Analysts say this could be a key opportunity for the US to modernize its fleet efficiently and regain strategic advantage in the Pacific.
If Washington decides to leverage South Korea’s expertise, it could mark a turning point in US naval capabilities. For now, Congress and naval leaders face tough decisions: invest in reforming domestic shipyards, risk continued delays, or partner with proven international shipbuilders to safeguard America’s maritime interests.
No comments:
Post a Comment