LONDON — The UK Ministry of Defence has reached a major production milestone with the official keel laying of RFA Resurgent, the first of three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The ceremony, held at Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard in Devon, formalizes the start of hull construction for the next-generation supply ships. The Ministry of Defence also confirmed the names of the remaining two vessels in the class: RFA Reliant and RFA Resourceful.
The £100 million-plus industrial package directly supports facilities in Appledore and Belfast, generating roughly 1,200 shipyard jobs as part of Britain’s broader naval reindustrialization push.
Program Details
- Lead Ship: RFA Resurgent (Expected entry into service: Early 2030s)
- Sister Ships: RFA Reliant, RFA Resourceful
- Prime Contractor: Navantia UK (Modules built in Appledore, Belfast, and Spain; final integration in Belfast)
- Procurement Body: Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)
- Crewing Capacity: 101 core RFA crew, with onboard accommodation for 80 additional aviation and operational personnel.
Once operational, the 216-meter auxiliary ships will resupply Royal Navy warships—including Carrier Strike Groups—with ammunition, spare parts, and provisions at sea, allowing extended deployments without returning to port.
