Photo : YONHAP News
A legislation that will allow the construction of U.S. Navy ships in South Korea and other Indo-Pacific nations with which the U.S. has mutual defense accords has been introduced to Congress.
According to Congress on Tuesday, Senator Mike Lee and Senator John Curtis submitted last Wednesday the “Ensuring Naval Readiness Act” and the “Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act” which aim to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
The “Ensuring Naval Readiness Act” will allow the U.S. the option to construct ships or components in shipyards of NATO member countries or Indo-Pacific nations which have mutual defense agreements with the U.S.
The legislation stipulates that the cost of the construction must be less than the cost would be if such construction occurred in a domestic shipyard.
It also states that before construction may begin of a naval vessel at a foreign shipyard, the Secretary of the Navy must submit to Congress a certification that the foreign shipyard is not owned or operated by a Chinese company.
“The Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act” proposes the same shift in the construction of U.S. Coast Guard vessels.
The two senators who introduced the bills said a fleet of 355 ships is recommended to ensure a ready and capable Navy but that currently there are only 291 vessels.