UK Defence Secretary relaunches Fleet Solid Support ships competition
Fleet Solid Support ships will provide support to carrier and amphibious Task Groups at sea. (Photo: UK Royal Navy)
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has launched a competition to build three new Fleet Solid Support ships.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has launched a competition for the opportunity to construct three new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships to support UK RN operations across the world.
These crucial RN Fleet Auxiliary vessels will provide munitions, food, stores and provisions to support carrier and amphibious Task Groups at sea.
This announcement follows from the commitment made in the recent Defence Command Paper to create a shipbuilding renaissance.
The competition will help to boost British shipbuilding by requiring a significant proportion of construction and assembly to occur in the UK.
With a £24 billion multi-year settlement to modernise the Armed Forces, the competition is an exciting moment for the UK industry to design and deliver a world-leading capability, securing highly-skilled jobs and boosting homegrown skills.
Defence Equipment and Support have issued the contract notice inviting companies to register an interest in participating in the tender for the design and build of the ships.
The government has pledged to double the investment over the life of this Parliament to more than £1.7 billion a year.
The manufacture contract award is expected to be made within two years, following approvals.
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