The Navantia UK shipyard in Appledore officially began construction of the first logistics ship under the Ministry of Defence’s Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Programme, with the traditional cutting of the first naval steel plate. The ceremony, held on December 5, marked the start of a programme considered essential to guarantee logistical support for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and the aircraft carrier strike groups of the Royal Navy.
Regarding the programme’s background, in November 2022 the UK Ministry of Defence awarded the contract for the construction of three FSS logistics vessels to the Team Resolute consortium — made up of Navantia UK, Harland & Wolff and BMT. The decision responded to the need to ensure sustainment for the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales carriers during long-range operations.
During 2024 Navantia advanced negotiations to acquire the Harland & Wolff shipyard, a process that concluded in January 2025 with its integration into the Navantia UK subsidiary. The operation included an investment of £77 million and the creation of approximately 2,000 jobs, consolidating the industrial capacity necessary to execute the programme on UK soil.
Concerning technical progress, in October 2024 Navantia and BMT passed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), validating the vessel’s overall architecture and enabling the start of critical engineering phases. Later, in March 2025, the MAN engines planned for the FSS passed acceptance tests and were certified to ensure efficiency and reliability for extended deployments. The latest milestone was the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR), marking the transition from design to manufacturing.
Finally, with infrastructure secured and systems validated, Navantia UK officially announced the start of construction of the first FSS logistics ship, named RFA Resurgent, at the Appledore yard. The design, developed by Navantia and BMT, will be integrated with UK systems, reflecting a model of industrial cooperation that combines Spanish experience with local capabilities.
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