[ Post a Response | The SteelNavy.Com Message Board ]
Posted by Doug on August 16, 2026, 18:51:59, in reply to "Re: supposedly true. links included."
But with "him", I would not expect that to be iron clad. 
Previous Message
The answer is plain enough, but "you do gotta read"...
In the Reuters article David posted right in this thread:
https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-orders-navy-tear-out-jet-launch-system-return-steam-catapults-2026-08-13/
This:
"Foreign shipbuilders who have made "substantial and durable investments" in U.S. shipyards "will be temporarily permitted to build up to two ships in their parent shipyards that will be delivered to bridge gaps on a quick turnaround," to supplement ships built in U.S. shipyards.
Australian shipbuilder Austal (ASB.AX), opens new tab said on Tuesday that Hanwha Group had offered to buy its U.S. operations for up to $1.2 billion as the South Korean conglomerate seeks to expand in the American defense market."
In the thread above yours, there's this link provided:
https://news.usni.org/2026/08/13/new-white-house-memo-calls-for-foreign-built-warships-return-to-steam-catapults-on-ford-carriers
This is in it:
"In the memo, Trump called for an expanded use of the “Finland Model” that the U.S. Coast Guard is using to build two separate classes of medium icebreakers simultaneously in the U.S. and in Finland. One of the competitors, Canadian shipbuilder Davie, bought the Gulf-Copper yard in Texas and pledged to revamp the yard to build the ice breakers following the construction of the first two in Helsinki Shipyard.The new memo directs the Pentagon to apply a similar model for three classes of ships built by foreign shipbuilders, provided the yards “simultaneously builds a new shipyard in the United States or assumes ownership or a majority equity position in an existing shipyard in the United States, and builds all ships after the first two such ships in United States shipyards.” "
If you look around, you'll find the new South Korean ship yard in Philadelphia:
https://hanwhaphillyshipyard.com/
They then qualify. They've invested in a US ship yard. We've already gone to Korea to look at their yard:
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4170178/secnav-phelan-visits-shipyards-in-south-korea/
We are also courting Japan, but they've not (yet?) responded to this level. I wish they would. I like some of their designs a lot.
"The winner" at this point, based on all this, would be South Korea, then.
Previous Message
The question is - which foreign yards does "he" favor? Previous Message
Depends on the yards. South Korea and Japan--the most likely countries to benefit from this--have had our AEGIS and Mk 41 VLS systems for a long time. Japan has the F-35. This is not available to "just any old foreign yard." Only countries with which we already have a close relationship. Those already are in possession of plenty of our classified systems. Through AUKUS, Australia is receiving our Virginia submarine details, to include our reactors.
We need ships...badly. Letting closely trusted allies with the yard capacity produce some for us is fine with me. Previous Message
The problem with foreign shipyards is that it would be more difficult to insure security for classified technologies. Previous Message
So, what he's done is effectively halt Doris Miller. The redesign will take a long time, and no building on that vessel will happen in the meantime. If Congress won't fund the redesign, his memo does little more than prevent the executive branch from building a carrier. The executive branch must legally follow these memos, but not Congress. If they won't play along with funding, then money for steam will not be available, and the executive branch will not legally be able to use anything else. So, we won't be doing any more work on Doris Miller if that happens. Will be interesting to see what comes out of Congress now.
While I like the authorization to use foreign ship yards, I forget the details of how legal it is. There is a law--Byrnnes Tollefson--that prohibits building government vessels abroad. However, I do believe I recall the president having some limited authority to circumvent that, and what you link authorizes two vessels per yard. Probably within the legal limits. This, I actually like.
As far as a fifth shipyard, the more the merrier.
The likely loss of Doris Miller will only be felt years from now, when whichever Nimitz class it was to replace retires, and Miller is not there to assume the role. For the present..."Oh, well." This is not the last word. It's the start of a show. Get popcorn. Previous Message
https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-orders-navy-tear-out-jet-launch-system-return-steam-catapults-2026-08-13/
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/08/trump-orders-return-of-steam-catapults-on-carriers-fifth-public-shipyard/
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/trump-orders-navy-to-restore-old-technology-in-aircraft-carriers-costing-billions-0055ec1b Previous Message
Trump just ordered that new carriers are to use steam catapults.
Responses
« Index