The construction of the first support ship in Appledore has begun.

On 3 November at the British shipyard Navantia UK in Appledore there was a ceremony of cutting the first sheet of sheet metal for the future RFA logistics support vessel Resurgent. The event sets out the key stage of Fleet Solid Support, which aims to rebuild the capabilities of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and strengthen the British shipbuilding industry.

A symbolic beginning that is not the beginning of the entire construction process

Although the ceremony itself begins a visible stage of construction, the process leading to it has continued for years. The first sheet cutting is ceremonial, but – which is worth noting, as we have repeatedly written on our website – is not the beginning of the ship program, it is only one of its successive stages. In the case of Fleet Solid Support, they were preceded by conceptual work, design reviews, subcontracting of suppliers and a wide programme of modernisation of shipbuilding facilities run by Navantia UK, which took over and develops part of the British shipyards.

British Minister of Armed Forces Luke Pollard stressed during the ceremony that the construction of the future RFA began Resurgent reflects the new phase of British industrial policy, aimed at restoring the shipbuilding potential of the UK.

RFA Resurgent – role in the continuity system

The unit will be the first of three logistics support ships designed to secure operations of the Royal Navy in the oceans, especially in the context of the growing role of British aircraft carriers. Each ship will reach a length of 216 metres, making them the largest Royal Fleet Auxiliary units outside the aircraft carriers.

Their task will be to replenish stocks – combat measures, spare parts and general supplies – on ships operating in the sea for a long time. FSS will become a key element in securing the activities of airport groups and operations in remote areas, which is consistent with the trend of strengthening maritime logistics in NATO Navys.

Commander Sam Shattock, head of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, described the new unit as a "war-fighting enabler" – a ship whose task will be to maintain Royal Navy's operational capabilities without having to return to ports.

Great investment in the potential of the shipping industry in the UK

Navantia UK is currently conducting a wide-ranging modernization of its plants in Belfast, Arnish, Methil and Appledore. The installation of modern panel lines, plasma robots and digital quality control systems is designed to reduce construction time and increase prefabrication precision.

Three RFA forward sections will be formed in Appledore Resurgent. The remaining blocks will be produced and merged in Belfast. The programme foresees an increase in employment of around 1,500 workers between 2029 and 1930, and this figure is expected to reach two thousand in the early 1930s. The development of technical education remains visible – more than 200 students are already working at Navantia UK.

The head of the Navantia UK, Donato Martínez, stressed that the start of sheet cutting is a confirmation of earlier declarations of restoration of the UK's industrial capacity.

Transition to construction and future capabilities of the Royal Navy

In November, a review of the project (Critical Design Review) was completed, which in British practice means the completion of the concept phase and confirmation of readiness for a serial construction in this case. The Defence Resort approved a set of documentation – from hull construction to equipment deployment.

The programme thus entered the construction phase, in which the main part of the work goes to the shipyard, and sub-suppliers of key systems.

Fleet Solid Support has two parallel objectives: to provide the Royal Fleet Auxiliary of modern support ships, necessary for the operation of airport groups, and to rebuild the competence of British industry in the construction of high displacement units.