The U.S. Navy’s Frigate Problem Is Bigger Than the Ship

Japan, South Korea, and Türkiye are all being considered as possible sources for the U.S. Navy’s next frigate.

But choosing a ship is only the beginning.

The harder questions come after selection: how much should the design be changed, how quickly can production move to the United States, and can the Navy support the ship for decades without creating another costly integration problem?

This DKI Defense Analysis Brief examines the strategic questions behind America’s foreign frigate options.