Navantia’s shipyard in Puerto Real (Cádiz) has begun work linked to the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) program, aimed at building three logistics support ships for the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, through its subsidiary Navantia UK. This phase marks a new step forward for the program, three years after the contract was signed and following the start of construction of the first ship on British soil.
Construction of the first FSS ship began on 3 December at Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard in southwest England, during a ceremony led by the UK’s Minister for Defence Industry, Luke Pollard. On that occasion, the first naval steel plate was cut, formally launching a program considered key to the logistical sustainment of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and the Royal Navy’s carrier strike groups.
Start of work in Puerto Real
The start of activities at the Puerto Real shipyard was formalized through a steel-cutting ceremony attended by the UK Defence Attaché in Spain, Captain Antony Crabb, and Navantia’s Director of Operations and Business, Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero. This milestone represents the program’s transition from the design phase to industrial production.
In this context, Antony Crabb stated: “We warmly welcome Navantia’s continued commitment to delivering the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) program on time and on budget. The start of construction in Puerto Real marks a significant milestone for this program. Following the successful steel cut at Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard last December, today’s event brings to life the transition of the FSS program from the design phase to production. The modules built in Spain will later be transported to the integration yard in Belfast. We look forward to continuing our collaboration as we progress towards delivering these important ships for the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary.”
For his part, Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero noted: “The start of work at this shipyard is a demonstration of Navantia’s commitment to a customer of vital importance. We are putting our best capabilities at the service of this program and its execution, with the highest levels of quality and demanding standards.”
Fleet Solid Support program characteristics
The three FSS ships will be operated by RFA personnel and are intended to provide logistical support to the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group at sea, including the supply of ammunition, spare parts, food, and other essential resources. Their main mission will be to enable British naval units to sustain prolonged operations without having to return to port.
Each ship will be 216 metres long and will displace approximately 39,000 to 40,000 tonnes, making them the second-largest ships in service with the UK’s Defence, behind only the aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
Industrial cooperation between the United Kingdom and Spain
The FSS program is being developed jointly between Navantia UK’s shipyards in Appledore and Belfast, with the participation of Navantia facilities in Spain, which are building modules and blocks for final assembly, testing, and delivery in Belfast. In addition to structural fabrication, the Spanish sites contribute high value-added activities linked to systems, integration, and knowledge transfer.
In parallel, modernization works continue at the Belfast shipyard, which will play a central role as the program’s integration hub. Likewise, the Methil facility is involved in the construction of a barge intended for moving blocks, while it advances the readiness of its industrial capabilities. The Methil and Arnish sites, with experience in the offshore sector, also offer prospects for future programs, particularly in the field of offshore wind energy.
Program background
The origins of the FSS program date back to November 2022, when the UK Ministry of Defence awarded the contract to the Team Resolute consortium, made up of Navantia UK, Harland & Wolff, and BMT. The award responded to the need to ensure logistical support for British aircraft carriers in long-range operations.
One year after that acquisition, Navantia’s Chairman, Ricardo Domínguez, stated: “Navantia UK is equipping itself with capabilities commensurate with the challenges ahead and adding value both to the UK market and to other international programs, strengthening Navantia’s presence and credibility in the international market.”
In this way, the start of work in Puerto Real forms part of a program that is progressing according to plan, consolidating a distributed industrial structure between the United Kingdom and Spain for the construction of the new FSS logistics ships intended for the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Cover image for illustrative purposes.
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