The Case for Korean Collaboration in Advancing U.S. Naval Power

In a recent press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, U.S. President Donald Trump made a striking announcement about the future of American naval shipbuilding. Detailing plans for a new class of frigates for the United States Navy, he confirmed that the project will involve close collaboration with a South Korean firm, Hanwha, calling it a “good company” and signaling a broader strategic partnership. “Last week, the Navy announced a brand new class of frigate and they’re going to be working with the South Korean company Hanwha,” Trump stated, underscoring a new direction in U.S. defense industrial policy.

This unexpected but welcome development should prompt a serious reevaluation of how America sustains and projects naval power. It is no longer sufficient for the United States to rely solely on its historic industrial base. The strategic realities of the 21st century — particularly the rapidly evolving maritime landscape in the Indo-Pacific — demand deeper cooperation with allied industrial partners.

Reimagining Industrial Capacity Through Alliance

The U.S. Navy faces significant challenges: aging fleets, production bottlenecks, and competition from near-peer adversaries who are rapidly expanding their own maritime capabilities. In this environment, innovative procurement and industrial expansion are not just economic questions; they are matters of strategic urgency.

South Korea is home to one of the world’s most advanced shipbuilding industries, with proven expertise in both commercial and naval vessel construction. By integrating Korean industrial capacity into U.S. defense projects, the United States can harness a force multiplier that accelerates fleet modernization while simultaneously reinforcing allied ties. President Trump’s public affirmation of cooperation with Hanwha is symbolic of this shift — it reflects not only confidence in Korean industrial partners, but also a willingness to adapt U.S. strategic posture in a world where collective capability increasingly defines military strength.

Alliance Strength as Strategic Power

Naval power is not solely about the number of ships, but also about the sustainability of production, innovation, and strategic adaptability. The integration of allied industrial capacity broadens the United States’ strategic options. It ensures that fleet expansion keeps pace with global demands, and mitigates risks associated with domestic industrial limitations. By building frigates in partnership with Korean firms, the U.S. Navy can achieve economies of scale, share technological expertise, and foster resilient supply chains that extend beyond national borders.

This is not a relinquishment of American naval autonomy. Rather, it reflects a mature understanding that strong alliances are themselves a form of power — one rooted in shared values, shared interests, and shared industrial might.

Looking Forward

President Trump’s remarks underscore a pivotal moment: the United States is publicly embracing a collaborative industrial defense strategy with Korea. As geopolitical competition intensifies, particularly in the maritime domain, this partnership could serve as a blueprint for how allied nations co-produce the instruments of deterrence and defense.

For the United States Navy to maintain its edge, it must continue to innovate not only technologically, but also strategically. Leveraging allied industrial strength is not optional — it is essential. The future of naval power rests not just in fleets, but in the networks and partnerships that build them.