Turkey and the United States have been holding talks since last year on cooperation in naval shipbuilding, as the US Navy seeks to expand its fleet amid growing competition with China, officials told Middle East Eye.
Ankara has emerged as a naval powerhouse in recent years. Its shipyards are capable of producing more than 30 ships simultaneously for the Turkish and Pakistani navies.
Turkish defence firms have also developed indigenous designs for a wide range of vessels under the Milgem project, Turkey’s national warship programme.
According to officials, US representatives explored whether Turkey could supply ship components, while discussions also floated the possibility of Ankara helping the US Navy build additional frigates.
The Trump administration wants to both revive US shipbuilding and enlarge the US Navy’s fleet. So far, it has leaned on Asian allies Japan and South Korea for know-how after decades of US underinvestment.
