Fleet Solid Support ship contract placed
A rendering of the Team Resolute Fleet Solid Support ship design. (Photo: Navantia)
After selecting Team Resolute in 2022, the UK MoD has placed a firm contract to order three new support ships.
The UK MoD has formally awarded Team Resolute – a consortium of Navantia UK, Harland & Wolff, and BMT – a £1.6 billion ($1.97 billion) contract to build three new naval support ships.
The three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships will be assembled at Harland & Wolff, with blocks and modules to be constructed at Navantia’s Cadiz shipyard and Harland & Wolff’s Belfast and Appledore facilities.
They will be the first ships built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast since MV Anvil Point in 2002.
Related Articles
UK selects Harland & Wolff, Navantia and BMT team for support ships
Harland & Wolff boss touts UK credentials of support ship win
Navantia and SH Defence tie the knot on The Cube
The contract will see £100 million ($123 million) invested into UK shipyards.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: ‘This contract is a significant boost to the UK’s historic shipbuilding industry, balancing shipbuilding across the Union.
‘Creating jobs and prosperity, Team Resolute is bringing shipbuilding back to Belfast, developing a modern, resilient and thriving shipbuilding industry that will support naval and commercial shipbuilding into the future.’
Production is set to start in 2025, with recapitalisation and yard improvements to begin immediately.
All three ships are expected to be operational by 2032.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Fleet Solid Support (FSS) (1-3) [UK]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Avalon 2025: Kongsberg confirms its first Australian missile factory]()
Avalon 2025: Kongsberg confirms its first Australian missile factory
The deal, which has been planned since August 2024, is part of an ongoing attempt to bolster Australia’s defences against the potential of Chinese aggression.
-
![TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid]()
TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid
Four shipbuilders have been downselected to build the frigate replacement programme, and TKMS hopes the new deal will give it a geographical advantage.
-
![As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?]()
As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
