Keel laid for first Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Navantia UK has formally begun assembling the first of three new Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The keel for RFA Resurgent was laid at the company's Appledore shipyard in North Devon on Merchant Navy Day.

Apprentices from Navantia UK and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary initiated the ceremony by lowering the first bow block onto the specially built Seahorse barge. A commemorative coin was placed beneath the section, following shipbuilding tradition for good fortune. Commodore Sam Shattock, Commodore Royal Fleet Auxiliary, also revealed the names of the second and third vessels: RFA Reliant and RFA Resourceful.

Programme milestones and industrial impact

The keel-laying is the latest step in a programme that began in 2023. According to the source, the project has remained on schedule and on budget. Previous milestones included the start of test block construction in August 2025, a Critical Design Review completion in October 2025, and the cutting of first steel at Appledore in December 2025.

The event marks a significant regeneration for the Appledore yard, which had not built a ship since 2019. Navantia UK is investing around £15 million at the site for a new roof, plasma-cutting equipment, and a pipe shop. This is part of a wider £157 million investment across its four UK yards, which employ about 1,300 people. The Appledore workforce now stands at 210, including 40 apprentices, with another 20 starting soon.

Ship specifications and construction plan

The three new vessels are designed to supply munitions, stores, and provisions to Royal Navy task groups at sea. They will enable ships like the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to operate at greater distances from home ports for longer periods.

These ships will be the largest in UK military service after the aircraft carriers. Construction of modules is happening at Navantia UK's Appledore yard, its Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, and at Navantia's yards in Spain. Final assembly, integration, and trials will be conducted at the Belfast facility.

Statements from officials and industry

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, stated the Royal Fleet Auxiliary forms the backbone of the Royal Navy. He said the new ships would keep the navy ready to operate at range for longer. Pollard highlighted the investment was bolstering UK shipbuilding and backing thousands of skilled jobs.

Donato Martínez, CEO of Navantia UK, called the keel-laying an important moment for the programme and for UK shipbuilding renewal. He said it demonstrated the momentum built across the project and was helping rebuild sovereign industrial capability. Martínez noted the investment at Appledore was also building capability for future naval vessels, including autonomous platforms for the Hybrid Navy.

Commodore Shattock said the occasion demonstrated the momentum behind a project that would provide world-class capabilities to sustain global Royal Navy operations.

Supply chain and future vision

The programme is supporting businesses throughout the UK supply chain. Local North Devon firm Wellington Welding supplies welding equipment and provides on-site testing services. Somerset-based Denholm Industrial Services is providing scaffolding and painting support, including work on the Seahorse barge and major reroofing in Belfast. Steve Hill, the firm's Managing Director, said they shared Navantia UK's drive and commitment to delivering the programme to the highest standards.

Navantia UK is developing Appledore as a specialist centre for vessels up to approximately 125 metres, including autonomous platforms. The company has already developed its LASV75 concept-a 75-metre ocean-going autonomous support vessel designed for modular missions and rapid construction-with Appledore's facilities in mind for the Royal Navy's future Hybrid Navy.