In a recent parliamentary exchange, Lord Coaker, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, clarified that Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships, while owned and operated by the Ministry of Defence, are not considered part of the UK’s Armed Forces.

Responding to Lord West of Spithead’s inquiry, Lord Coaker stated, “Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships are owned and managed by the Ministry of Defence for the purposes of the Naval Service but are not considered part of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom.”

Instead, RFA vessels are classified as ‘Government Ships’ under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Although integral to naval support, their designation reflects a unique role within UK maritime operations distinct from commissioned warships in the Armed Forces.

This classification debate comes after the previous government acknowledged that the new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships would be categorised as warships following persistent calls from unions and industry stakeholders. In 2020, we reported that the previous government finally recognised FSS ships as warships, a decision carrying significant implications for British shipbuilding.

Government finally classifies new fleet support ships as ‘warships’

Initially, the government’s stance allowed for international bidding on the £1.5 billion contract to build three FSS ships, despite opposition calling for them to be built exclusively in UK shipyards. Under then-Defence Secretary Ben Wallace’s direction, the FSS ships were reclassified as warships, subjecting them to national security requirements which mandate that warships be primarily constructed domestically.

This decision followed extensive debate regarding the definition of warships. According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, a warship is defined as a state vessel crewed by commissioned officers under military command. However, the National Shipbuilding Strategy had previously limited the term “warship” to destroyers, frigates, and carriers.

Former Defence Procurement Minister Stuart Andrew had stated that the FSS ships did not qualify under this designation due to the UK’s need to retain sovereign capabilities solely for the construction of complex combat vessels. In response, union representatives argued that the support roles and tactical functions of FSS vessels aligned them with wartime operations and warranted their classification as warships.

Ross Murdoch, GMB National Officer, noted at the time, “It looks like the Government has finally acknowledged what GMB has always said – these are warships. There is no reason to now hide behind any treaty – they must be built in the UK.”

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Tomartyr
Tomartyr (@guest_867981)
4 hours ago

Is there actually space to build them in the uk?

Steve
Steve (@guest_867984)
4 hours ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

I think the better question is does it provide tax payer value building in the uk and can they be brought into service equally fast.

There is a need to build vessels and not constantly talk about it, at this point i don’t care where they are built as long as they are built. Same across the services.

Saying that the RFA isn’t due any additional vessels that I know of. The solid store vessels are already contracted out, what comes after them?

Iain
Iain (@guest_867991)
4 hours ago
Reply to  Steve

MRSS. They keep talking about them and since they are likely to be the replacement for the very versatile and heavily used Bay class then they need to get them sorted.
That being said they will keep pushing that boat downstream till the Bays are completely uneconomical to keep in service as per the Type-23s and their replacements. We’ve all seen just how well that has worked.

Steve
Steve (@guest_867996)
4 hours ago
Reply to  Iain

Yep. The whole armed forces have a common problem, everything has been pushed for so long that it all needs replacing at the same time, which is now totally uneconomical. The cash boost to fix it would be insane at this point. I can’t see how it can be resolved as the issue just gets worse by the year.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke (@guest_868025)
3 hours ago
Reply to  Iain

On that I wholeheartedly agree.

We need to get a wriggle on.

Jim
Jim (@guest_868122)
51 minutes ago
Reply to  Iain

Given the MRSS are going to be a completely different concept and probably well armed in comparisons to Bays it’s going to be very difficult to class them as RFA. Also we have a yard in rosyth that is going to close in 2030 unless it’s gets MRSS work.

Our navy is way too small for three yards but might be just about large enough to keep two going.

PeterS
PeterS (@guest_868137)
30 seconds ago
Reply to  Jim

Last definition I saw was ” large non complex warship” So RN manned.

Taz
Taz (@guest_868006)
4 hours ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

It was confirmed just the other day that the contract is still with Harland & Wolf in Belfast, even though they have now gone bust. How that circle is squared is still being discussed.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke (@guest_868026)
3 hours ago
Reply to  Taz

Square circles are a core requirement of much military procurement.

Mark F
Mark F (@guest_868005)
4 hours ago

I had always thought that the RFA vessels weren’t classified as “warships”, as it allowed them to call into “neutral” ports etc etc.
As a former “pongo”, I am happy to be educated/ corrected if my understanding is incorrect.

Ex_Service
Ex_Service (@guest_868016)
3 hours ago

Ignores the state of affairs when a conflict breaks out with said RFA (war)ships.

Idiots.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli (@guest_868022)
3 hours ago

Stop this pathetic merry go round of are they or aren’t they? They should have given the order to S Korea years ago.
The RN might have a FRS by now.
But, as usual, defence industry jobs come before the military who need the asset.
Our shipyards, clearly, have limits, there are so few, as a result of our own government incompetence.
That should have been clearly identified years ago, but politics wins the day.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke (@guest_868028)
3 hours ago

I agree both the solids and MRSS should have gone to Korean yards as per the Tides. We have at least one hull ready for final fit by now. Which is better than a whole pile of CAD, some arguments and an empty shipyard. Regenerating H&W shipbuilding was always a step too far. I’m afraid born of the idea that everyone can be trained to do anything is you out up a sign for a ‘world class academy’ etc…on the front of a nice new building…totally ignoring the value of time served experience. I’m all for training but it takes… Read more »

Graham
Graham (@guest_868126)
41 minutes ago

Why should they have been built in S Korea ? I’m a British worker that is proud to be going to build these ships in Belfast and paying British tax.

Jez
Jez (@guest_868032)
3 hours ago

Whether or not they are classified as warships has little to do with the UK Governments Build Policy and everything to do with International Law. Warships are crewed by Military Personal and are fitted with complex weapons, Merchant Ships (including Government Vessels) are crewed by civilians and are only to have simple (i.e. aimed by an operator) self defence weapons – anything more would need embarked Military Personnel to operate.

John Elliott
John Elliott (@guest_868087)
2 hours ago
Reply to  Jez

My son is in the Royal navy and serving on Lyme bay after leaving cardigan bay in middle East as security team the ship has weapons on board as well as anti missile system not to mention a floating dock for the royal marines they can carry. The ship crew are civilians.

Andrew D
Andrew D (@guest_868084)
2 hours ago

RFA Vessels ok there not fighting ships but they with out doubt are ship of war .Just sounds like a Get out Claws for the government not been in any hurry to sort the mess out 🙄

Geoff Roach
Geoff Roach (@guest_868089)
2 hours ago

So when the RFA puts itself in danger they’re just out for a cruise which happens to put them next to warships. I get it. Stupid. 🙄

Aurelius
Aurelius (@guest_868091)
1 hour ago

If we name them all HMS Endeavour will the enemy leave them alone ?