Construction has begun in Spain on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships, marking a new phase in the multinational programme to deliver three major logistics vessels for the UK.
Work is now under way at Navantia’s Puerto Real shipyard in Cádiz, where modules for the ships will be manufactured before being transferred to the UK for later stages of construction. The programme is being delivered through Navantia UK under contract from the Ministry of Defence. The start of work in Spain follows last month’s steel cutting ceremony at Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard in Devon, which marked the formal transition of the FSS programme from design into production. Further modules will also be constructed at Appledore, with final assembly, integration and commissioning planned to take place at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast yard.
The British Defence Attaché to Spain said the commencement of construction at Puerto Real represented an important milestone for the programme.
“Today’s commencement of construction at Puerto Real marks a significant milestone for the FSS programme, which is a great example of the cooperation between our two defence industries and our two countries,” the attaché said.
Navantia has described the start of work at its Spanish yard as further evidence of progress on the programme, which will deliver three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Once in service, the vessels will provide ammunition, food, spare parts and other essential supplies to the Royal Navy at sea, supporting sustained global operations and the UK’s carrier strike capability. Each ship will measure around 216 metres in length and displace approximately 39,000 tonnes, making them among the largest vessels operated by the UK’s armed forces.
The Fleet Solid Support programme spans multiple shipyards in Spain and the UK, with work shared between Puerto Real, Appledore and Belfast. The Ministry of Defence has previously said the approach is intended to combine international industrial capacity with continued investment in British shipbuilding infrastructure and skills.
I can see a Devon Scone with Irish Cream and Seville Jam on the menu at launch !
“Cream first” 😁
Remind me, where were the Ajax hulls constructed? No Seville Jam!
Ha, I did think that at the time but thought I’d give Navantia the benifit of the doubt !