US EditionDevon Ceremony Marks Start of Royal Fleet Auxiliary Build
The £115 million Fleet Solid Support program creates 1,200 skilled jobs and 222 apprenticeships to enhance Royal Navy's long-term deployment and warfighting readiness.
- Recently, Navantia UK Appledore yard cut the first steel to begin construction of RFA Resurgent; Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, called it a `Significant moment`.
- The Ministry of Defence says the Fleet Solid Support programme is a Strategic Defence Review commitment designed to deliver ammunition, spares, refrigerated stores and other supplies while underway, underpinning sustained maritime operations.
- Construction will use modular blocks moved to Harland & Wolff shipyard for integration, while Navantia's Methil yard recently began building a 1,400-tonne, 85-metre transport barge.
- The MoD says 115 million has been invested across four UK shipyards, supporting 1,200 skilled jobs and recruiting 20 apprentices at Navantia UK this year.
- Delivery of RFA Resurgent is expected in 2031, with the first of three 216-metre ships among the largest UK-built vessels outside the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
11 Articles
11 Articles
UK cuts steel on new support ship as RFA Resurgent is named
Work has begun on the first of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new Fleet Solid Support ships, following a steel cutting ceremony at Appledore shipyard in Devon. The event also confirmed the vessel’s name, RFA Resurgent, marking the programme’s transition from design to full-scale construction. According to the Ministry of Defence, the FSS programme is a core Strategic Defence Review commitment intended to ensure the Royal Navy can sustain global ope…
Steel cut for RFA Resurgent, the first Fleet Solid Support ship - Navy Lookout
The first steel was cut today for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships, formally starting the construction of the class and confirming the name of the lead vessel. Now 10 years since the FSS project was made public in the 2015 SDSR, the ceremony at Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard marked the […] The post Steel cut for RFA Resurgent, the first Fleet Solid Support ship first appeared on Navy Lookout.
Steel cutting marks start of RFA’s first FFS ship at Appledore
A steel cutting ceremony at Navantia UK's Appledore shipyard marked the official start of construction on the first FSS ship for the RFA.The post Steel cutting marks start of RFA’s first FFS ship at Appledore appeared first on Naval Technology.
Navantia UK begins construction of RFA Resurgent, first fleet solid support ship for carrier operations
The new ships are being built by Navantia UK with Harland and Wolff, BMT and A&P Appledore, following the approval of their names by His Majesty the King. While only Resurgent’s name has been released, all three titles are intended to reflect the values linked to the Fleet Solid Support role during the RFA’s 120th anniversary year. Commodore Sam Shattock, Commodore RFA, said: “The ship is innovative, to meet the latest environmental protection s…
Steel cutting ceremony officially kicks off construction of the first FSS ship for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, as ship’s name is revealed
Appledore, 3 December 2025. The traditional steel cutting ceremony was held at Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard in North Devon today, marking a significant achievement for the FSS programme that is driving a £100m investment across Belfast and Appledore. The steel cutting ceremony, led by Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP, officially kicked off the start of the construction of the first FSS ship. Commodore Sam Shattock…
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