# U.S. naval procurement and shipbuilding policy shift > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-naval-procurement-and-shipbuilding-policy-shift > Updated: 2026-08-17T10:59:49.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. The United States has initiated a policy shift to allow the U.S. Navy to acquire warships constructed by foreign shipyards. Under a national security memorandum, foreign builders may be permitted to build up to two specific vessel types—surface combatants, consolidated cargo replenishment tankers, and roll-on/roll-off vessels—in their parent shipyards to ensure rapid delivery. To qualify, foreign entities must make substantial investments in U.S. facilities or acquire majority stakes in domestic shipyards. While initial vessels may be built abroad, all subsequent ships in a contract must be constructed within the United States. This strategy aims to counter China’s naval expansion and revitalize the American maritime industry. Following the initial directive, the White House expanded the scope of naval changes by ordering the Pentagon and the Navy to redesign future aircraft carriers. This redesign involves reverting from electromagnetic launch systems to steam catapults, a move that naval experts have criticized as “very outdated.” ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: United States considers foreign-built warships and steam catapults The White House has issued directives allowing for foreign-built warships to bolster the U.S. Navy and ordering a return to steam catapult technology for future aircraft carriers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-considers-foreign-built-warships-and-steam-catapults ### 2026-08-14: U.S. Navy opens shipbuilding to foreign yards Hanwha and Fincantieri shares rose after a U.S. directive allows certain foreign shipbuilders to construct specific Navy vessel types in their home shipyards to expedite delivery. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-navy-opens-shipbuilding-to-foreign-yards --- Cite as: U.S. naval procurement and shipbuilding policy shift. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-naval-procurement-and-shipbuilding-policy-shift