United States considers foreign-built warships and steam catapults

The White House has issued a presidential directive that could allow the United States Navy to acquire warships built by foreign shipyards. This policy shift aims to counter China's naval expansion and revitalize the domestic maritime industry by combining global technical expertise with American resources.

To qualify for contracts, foreign partners must meet strict requirements, including investing in U.S. facilities or acquiring majority stakes in existing domestic shipyards. While the first two vessels in a contract may be constructed abroad, all subsequent ships must be built within the United States. The model is inspired by a 2025 agreement between the U.S. and Finland regarding icebreaker production.

Additionally, the directive orders the Pentagon and the Navy to redesign future aircraft carriers to utilize steam catapults instead of electromagnetic launch systems. This decision to revert to older technology has drawn criticism from naval experts, who have described the move as “very outdated.” The Navy has not yet established a timeline for the carrier redesign or the new procurement protocols.