How Asian shipyards in Japan, Korea and Philippines keep US warships battle ready
The US Navy has been developing repair and maintenance hubs in the Indo-Pacific, relying on allies such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines to perform major maintenance, repair, and overhaul work on its vessels. This approach offers flexibility for forward-deployed ships, as US law mandates domestic construction for major warships but allows foreign MRO services under certain conditions. The capacity of regional allies is vital due to their proximity to potential conflict zones and the decline of the US shipbuilding base at home.
Why it matters: This development reflects the theme of strategic competition with Beijing, as the US seeks to sustain extended naval deployments in the Indo-Pacific without recalling ships to the mainland.