WASHINGTON -- On November 26, 2025, Fincantieri Marinette Marine delivered the final Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS) to the U.S. Navy. The future USS Cleveland (LCS 31) is the 16th and final ship of its class, marking the completion of LCS construction, a sustained acquisition effort lasting for over two decades.

The final Independence-class LCS, the alternate variant in the LCS program, was delivered by shipbuilder Austal USA to the U.S. Navy in July 2025.

Littoral combat ships are a fast, agile, mission-focused warships designed to operate in near-shore environments to counter 21st-century threats. They are small surface combatants armed with capabilities to defeat challenges in the world’s littorals. LCS can operate independently or in high-threat scenarios as part of a networked battle force that includes larger, multi-mission surface combatants such as cruisers and destroyers.

Source: Naval News
Associated URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/12/fincantieri-delivers-final-freedom-class-lcs-to-u-s-navy/

WASHINGTON -- On December 2nd, 2025, the Philippine Navy commissioned its newest guided-missile frigate, BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07). The vessel was delivered by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) in September and underwent acceptance procedures before commissioning. The Diego Silang is the second ship in the Miguel Malvar-class of guided-missile frigates, part of two vessels ordered from HD HHI in 2021 for $554 million (PHP 28 billion).

Displacing 3,200 tons, the Miguel Malvar-class ships can operate over a range of 4,500 nautical miles with a maximum speed of 25 knots. They are designed for multi-domain operations, including anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare missions.

The Philippine Navy is also expecting six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) from HD HHI under a separate $537 million (PHP 30 billion) contract, with deliveries set to begin in 2026. HD HHI launched the second of six OPVs, the future BRP Rajah Lakandula (PS-21), on November 20, 2025, following the launch of the first ship, BRP Rajah Sulayman, in June 2025. Rajah Sulayman-class offshore patrol vessels feature a cruising speed of 15 knots and an operational range of 5,500 nautical miles. HD HHI plans to complete and deliver the remaining OPVs by 2028.

As part of its naval modernization and force enhancement program, the Philippine government placed orders with HHI for a total of 10 vessels: two Jose Rizal-class frigates in 2016, two Miguel Malvar-class corvettes in 2021 (which were reclassified as frigates), and six OPVs in 2022. The Philippine government is reportedly planning to acquire two additional frigates under a $585 million (PHP 34 billion) contract, excluding ammunition and missiles.

Source: Naval News
Associated URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/12/philippines-commissions-its-latest-frigate-brp-diego-silang/
Author: D. Hutchins, Analyst 

SAN DIEGO -- General Dynamics NASSCO, DSEC Co., and Samsung Heavy Industries have signed a tri-party memorandum of agreement to expand cooperation on ship design, manufacturing technology, and production for U.S. commercial, naval, and government shipbuilding programs.

The collaboration is intended to support future commercial and government projects, specifically including the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program. The agreement expands on an existing two-decade relationship between NASSCO and DSEC, adding Samsung Heavy Industries,a global manufacturer of commercial vessels,to the partnership.

NASSCO currently produces the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class Fleet Oilers and is in the design phase for the future Submarine Tender (AS-X) class. Under the terms of the MOA, the companies will combine NASSCO's domestic manufacturing infrastructure with DSEC’s engineering services and SHI’s experience in constructing liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and floating production units.

The partnership aims to apply international commercial shipbuilding standards and automation technologies to U.S.-based naval and commercial construction projects.

This agreement strengthens industrial cooperation between the United States and South Korea at a time when U.S. Navy demand for auxiliary and logistics vessels is growing and domestic yards face capacity constraints. By integrating South Korean design expertise and production technologies with NASSCO’s U.S. shipbuilding infrastructure, the partnership could accelerate the development of next-generation naval support ships, improve efficiency, and broaden supply-chain options. It also positions the companies to compete more effectively for upcoming naval and commercial contracts while supporting modernization across the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://nassco.com/