Keel Laid for First Fleet Solid Support Ship as Assembly Begins at Appledore
The first of three Fleet Solid Support ships will carry munitions and stores for Royal Navy task groups, while the other two names are announced.
- On Friday, September 4, 2026, Navantia UK laid the keel for RFA Resurgent at its Appledore shipyard, marking the formal assembly start of the first Fleet Solid Support vessel. Commodore Sam Shattock announced sister ships RFA Reliant and RFA Resourceful during the ceremony.
- The Fleet Solid Support vessels will provide munitions and provisions to Royal Navy task groups at sea, enabling ships including the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to remain deployed for longer and operate at greater distances from their home ports.
- Each ship carries a core RFA crew of 101, with accommodation for 80 additional personnel operating helicopters and boats. The vessels incorporate low-carbon fuel capabilities designed to achieve Carbon Zero status by the end of their planned 30-year operational lives.
- Minister of Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the investment bolsters UK shipbuilding, supporting thousands of skilled jobs while construction integrates facilities in Appledore, Belfast, and Spain.
- RFA Resurgent revives a name from a 1957 merchant vessel, while RFA Resourceful follows the class's adjective-based naming convention. The ships are expected to enter service in the early 2030s.
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Naval News
Belfast ChamberKeel laid for first Fleet Solid Support ship as assembly begins at Appledore
Navantia UK has laid the keel of RFA Resurgent at its Appledore shipyard in North Devon, marking the formal start of assembly of the first of three new Fleet Solid Support vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Navantia press release The milestone was marked by the lowering of the first block, a section of RFA ...
Two new British support ships named at Appledore
The second and third ships in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new Fleet Solid Support programme will be named RFA Reliant and RFA Resourceful. The post Two new British support ships named at Appledore first appeared on UK Defence Journal.
First of the new support ships for the Royal Navy formally laid down - Navy Lookout
At a ceremony held today at Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard, the first section of RFA Resurgent was formally laid down. This took place ahead of the original schedule, amid reports that the MoD has asked for delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships to be accelerated. Keel laying is the traditional formal start of […] The post First of the new support ships for the Royal Navy formally laid down first appeared on Navy Lookout.
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