# DAPA Plans U.S.–Korea Shipbuilding

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to build the first two ships under the MASGA U.S.–Korea shipbuilding cooperation initiative at Korean shipyards and pursue U.S. construction for the third while developing U.S. shipbuilding capacity. The plan is prospective: no solicitation or contract award is reported. For shipbuilders and suppliers, the proposed sequence could create opportunities in Korean construction and in U.S. yard capacity, subject to how U.S. legal and policy requirements, congressional-executive differences, and local-content plans shape implementation.

- Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries are identified as prospective shipbuilders; the signals do not specify awards, contract values, or solicitation timelines.
- Companies considering participation can assess potential roles across ship construction and U.S. capacity development, while accounting for the planned division of construction between South Korea and the United States.
- The U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter project is cited as a precedent for beginning vessel construction overseas and building later vessels in the United States.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Transportation
**Published:** October 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)
- National Assembly of South Korea, National Defense Committee
- U.S. Congress
- U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
- U.S. Navy (USN)

### Vendors
- Hanwha Ocean (Prospective shipbuilder)
- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (Prospective shipbuilder)

### Sources
- [The Defense Acquisition Program Administration has announced its plan to build U.S. ships 1 and 2 in.. - MK](https://www.mk.co.kr/en/politics/12174766) - 매일경제