UK Ministry of Defence confirms Fleet Solid Support ships are on schedule

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the construction of three new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships is progressing on schedule and within the allocated £1.6 billion budget. The vessels, named RFA Resurgent, Reliant, and Resourceful, are intended to replenish Royal Navy task groups at sea and are expected to enter service starting in 2031.

Navantia UK is serving as the prime contractor, leading fabrication and final assembly. The update coincided with the opening of the Resurgent Fabrication Hall in Belfast, which adds 5,000 square metres of space equipped with new cranes, robotic plasma cutting systems, and a mechanized panel line.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard noted that the project supports the UK’s industrial heritage and modern shipbuilding capabilities. The investment by Navantia UK across its UK yards is intended to create skilled jobs and strengthen national maritime resilience.