Trilateral Shipbuilding: Build a Missile Corvette Fleet with Asian Allies

Summary

In this episode, CDR Chase E. Harding outlines a proposal for a trilateral shipbuilding program among the United States, Japan, and South Korea to produce fast‑attack missile corvettes that can counter China’s expanding naval fleet. He details the historic decline of U.S. shipbuilding capacity, the rapid rise of Chinese shipbuilding, and the strategic need for a cost‑effective, VLS‑armed corvette tailored for high‑end combat and maritime security. The discussion highlights the legal and congressional hurdles—such as the Jones Act and Buy American Act—that must be reformed to enable foreign‑allied shipyard participation and foreign direct investment. Harding’s expertise as a strategic planner for US Forces Japan informs his argument that a collaborative corvette fleet would bolster allied naval presence, support ASEAN partners, and restore U.S. maritime credibility in the Indo‑Pacific.