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.
More from Defence Notes
-
![New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia]()
New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees]()
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
![Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft]()
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
![OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”]()
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
