The British subsidiary of the Spanish group has marked an industrial milestone by beginning steel cutting for the first of three fleet support vessels. The program, which mobilizes shipyards in Devon, Belfast, and Puerto Real, reinforces the UK's sovereign capabilities and introduces naval technology 5.0.
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Navantia UK has officially begun construction of RFA Resurgent, the first of three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships ordered by the British Ministry of DefenseThe steel-cutting ceremony, held at the shipyard of Appledore (Devon), marks the beginning of a strategic program to ensure the supply of munitions and provisions to the Carrier Strike Group of the Royal Navy in high sea.
A milestone in industrial collaboration between the United Kingdom and Spain
The event was presided over by the UK Minister for Defence Industry, Luke pollard, and has included the participation of the commodore of the Royal Auxiliary Fleet (RFA), Sam Shattockwho has revealed the name of the new vessel. This project represents the first time the Navantia group has executed an international program outside of Spain at one of its own shipyards, following the acquisition of the Harland & Wolff facilities.
The president of Navantia, Ricardo DominguezHe highlighted the geopolitical relevance of the project: "This collaboration between the United Kingdom and Spain is important. At a time when European nations face common security challenges, industrial cooperation like this strengthens us."
Technical specifications and workload distribution
The new FSS ships will be the second largest in the British fleet, surpassed only by the aircraft carriers they will support. The key specifications and logistical breakdown of the project are detailed below:
| Concept | FSS Project Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the first ship | RFA Resurgent |
| Dimensions | 216 meters in length (equivalent to two football fields) |
| Displacement | 39.000 tonnes |
| Navantia Shipyards UK | Appledore (Devon), Harland & Wolff (Belfast), Methil and Arnish (Scotland) |
| Navantia Shipyards Spain | Puerto Real (Cádiz) and support from Ría de Ferrol (A Coruña) |
| Labor Impact | Creation of more than 1.200 skilled jobs in the United Kingdom |
Technological modernization and sovereign capacity
The FSS program not only involves the construction of the ships, but also a profound modernization of British naval infrastructure. Navantia UK It is implementing Industry 5.0 design and construction technologies, similar to those used in its Spanish facilities. At the Appledore shipyard, this translates into the installation of robotic plasma cutters—three times faster than previous systems—the automation of 36 cranes, and a fully mechanized flat panel line.
As explained Donato MartínezAccording to Navantia UK CEO, the project serves a dual purpose: "To provide a critical capability for the Royal Auxiliary Fleet and to create a long-term sovereign industrial capability for the United Kingdom, thanks to investment in infrastructure, technology and skills."
The distributed construction strategy implies that Appledore will manufacture the bow sections (composed of three blocks), while in Methyl A barge is being built to transport these blocks to Belfast for its final assembly, with the support of the Spanish shipyards of Puerto Real.
Key points and frequently asked questions about Navantia's FSS program
What role will FSS ships like the RFA Resurgent have?
They will be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to supply ammunition, spare parts, food and essential supplies to Royal Navy aircraft carriers, enabling them to operate at sea for extended periods without returning to port.
Where are ships built?
It is a multi-site program. The bow sections are manufactured in Appledore (Devon) and the main assembly will take place in Belfast, with the collaboration of Navantia's shipyards in Puerto Real (Cádiz) and Ferrol.
What technological investment does the project entail?
Navantia has invested in its four British centers to implement the Shipyard 5.0 model, including digital integration, automated warehouse management and robotic cutting and assembly machinery to optimize delivery times.
