Navantia UK, through the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme, is aiming to revitalise UK shipbuilding while delivering vital vessels to support the Royal Navy.
During a recent interview with Navantia UK’s FSS Programme Director Carl Greener and Alex du Pré, Project Leader at Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), I asked about the progress of the programme, the investment being made, and the long-term vision for UK shipbuilding.
To begin, I asked about the current progress of the FSS programme. Alex du Pré responded by detailing the recent milestones: “We went through the preliminary design review some time ago now, well into last year, and we’re now forging ahead towards the critical design review, which will take place later this year… Construction is starting at the back end of this year.”
The programme is advancing steadily despite challenges, including the Harland & Wolff insolvency event. When I inquired about the economic impact of the investment, Carl Greener was keen to emphasise the positive local implications.
“There’ll be about 1100 UK shipyard jobs that will support delivery of the FSS ships. Probably 800 in Belfast, and 300 in Appledore. There’s potentially another 800 plus, we estimate, across the supply chain in the UK, which is really encouraging,” he stated, underscoring the project’s significance.
Greener further elaborated on the increase in investment from Navantia, from the £78 million to over £100 million, aimed at modernising the Navantia UK yards. “The investment… will increase yard efficiency and the throughput of steel… so you’ll get a much more competitive and efficient yards to build future ships,” he noted, reflecting on how this technological upgrade will not only benefit the FSS Programme but future downstream projects as well.
Capacity Building and Future Prospects
During the interview, I asked Carl Greener to elaborate on how the FSS programme would impact the broader UK shipbuilding capacity. He acknowledged that the UK’s current shipbuilding infrastructure is not sufficient to meet the MoD’s aspirations for defence contracts. “The capacity to build the defence contracts that the MoD aspires will be a challenge for the current shipbuilding capacity of the UK. Collaboration across industry partners will be essential to give MoD more capability and capacity throughout the UK and also for the UK to retain building ships within the UK,” he noted.
This highlights the strategic value of Navantia UK’s investment, which not only addresses immediate needs but also expands long-term shipbuilding capacity, something sorely lacking in the UK.
I was particularly interested in how Navantia UK plans to maintain the momentum of investment beyond the current FSS programme. Greener explained that the goal is to ensure the yard’s viability for future contracts: “So the aspiration is to bid for pipeline work that the MoD puts out there as contracted work for future business, and look to take on future work as FSS is being delivered, hence the future pipeline is essential to sustain the Navantia yards” he said.
When I asked about Navantia UK’s broader ambitions within the UK shipbuilding sector, Greener made it clear that they aim to be a collaborator. “We want to be seen as a collaborator not competitor,” he remarked. This philosophy means working alongside established UK shipbuilders to enhance the UK’s sovereign naval shipbuilding capabilities.
“The UK needs a naval shipbuilding capacity which meets the needs of the challenging portfolio UK Defence is seeking. Navantia brings aspirations and the proven ability to construct a range of warships, support ships, patrol vessels and marine services for the UK Maritime sector; FSS is just the start,” Greener added, highlighting this broader strategic vision for Navantia UK.
Technological Integration and Innovation
Another key area explored during the interview was how Navantia is integrating advanced technologies and transferring knowledge to the UK shipyards. Greener discussed the importance of modernising the production process: “The investment… will increase the throughput of steel quicker… so you’ll get a much more competitive yard to build future ships,” he reiterated.
I also asked about how collaboration between UK and Spanish yards is playing out on the ground. Greener described how the relationship is evolving: “We’re cross-pollinating across Spanish yards coming to Belfast and Appledore to help us understand how we transition the UK yards… it’s a good synergy and it’s very healthy,” he said, indicating a productive exchange of expertise.
Transformative Partnership and Sovereign Capability
When I questioned how the acquisition of Harland & Wolff is changing the shipbuilding landscape, Greener pointed to the transformative nature of the investment. He spoke about the historic significance of restoring shipbuilding in Belfast: “For the youngsters coming through the gates to work with us now, their grandparents used to work in the yard but not their parents, we have essentially skipped a working generation and so are now looking to restore this famous shipbuilding heritage in Belfast…” he reflected.
Greener also stressed the strategic importance of the acquisition, aiming to create a sustainable shipbuilding base in the UK. The partnership is designed not only to revitalise local economies but also to strengthen the UK’s sovereign naval capabilities.
Lasting Benefits to the UK’s Industrial Base
To wrap up, I asked about the long-term benefits of the FSS programme for the UK’s industrial base. Greener highlighted the broader economic impact: “It’s the people that build the ships. So we need to build the team people from scratch in some areas,” he said, reflecting the programme’s commitment to workforce development and Social Value.
du Pré added that the FSS ships are vital to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), addressing capability gaps left by aging vessels. “The three fleet solid support ships are a very significant investment in the future of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. So it’s recapitalisation of their solid support capability, which is currently inherent in RFA Fort Victoria, which is reaching the end of service life.”
Looking Ahead
Greener reiterated Navantia UK’s long-term strategy, focusing on the company’s broader ambitions to sustain and expand its role within UK shipbuilding: “The aspiration is to bid for pipeline work that the MoD competes for new build RN vessels so start to build other ships as the FSS Programme delivers.”
On the other hand, du Pré, representing DE&S, focused on the significance of the FSS programme itself within the context of Royal Navy capabilities. He highlighted the critical role of the FSS ships in strengthening the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s support capabilities, particularly in enabling carrier strike operations. “It also delivers the missing link in the full carrier strike capability, so the ability to resupply the two aircraft carriers at sea with solid stores, which is currently a capability which is not complete,” du Pré explained.
” UK’s current shipbuilding infrastructure is not sufficient to meet the MoD’s aspirations for defence contracts.”
If this is so, are we talking about another boom or are we looking at a sustained recapitalisation of the Royal Navy’s fleet? If it is the latter then the MoD needs to get a grip on what comes after the T26 and T31. Even with 8x T26 we simply will not have enough ASW platforms to cover the threat if we get into a bun fight with the CRINK axis. So I would hope for a third batch of T26 being ordered to keep the Clyde yards busy.
For Rosyth the navy needs to pull it’s fingers out and either get the T32 moving into the Assessment Phase, or scrap it and order an up-gunned second batch of T31. Frankly, I’d go for the latter although having said that I wouldn’t be too upset if the Royal Navy ordered a second tier AAW frigate based on the A170 design that Babcock have in their back pocket. It could easily carry two radars and plenty of Aster and CAMM SAM’s, plus a few other goodies, of course, it could be badged as a stretched T31 or T32.
Barrow’s future seems to be assured given the Vanguard and AUKUS SSN programs and BAE Systems are reportedly investing heavily in the yard.
As for H&W it is good that they are getting millions in investment but all of this is apparently based on an order for 3x FSS ships. However, the article suggests that the MoD is looking to build far more and frankly so does the level of investment that Navantia, BAE Systems and Babcock are making suggests that they have confidence in the future which given the history of MoD ordering seems a tad risky unless they have been given the nod by the government..!?
Cheers CR