Keel laid on the first Fleet Solid Support ship, with GBP 100m invested in Appledore and Belfast yards
Three support ships are now in build at two UK yards with 1,200 jobs to fill; the subcontract and recruitment demand runs through the early 2030s.
The keel of RFA Resurgent, the first of three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, was laid at Navantia UK's Appledore shipyard on 3 September 2026, and the names of the sister ships, RFA Reliant and RFA Resourceful, were announced. The Ministry of Defence states the programme will see around GBP 100 million invested in Navantia UK's Belfast and Appledore yards, creating 1,200 jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships, with RFA Resurgent due to enter service in the early 2030s.
Keel laying is the point at which a shipbuilding programme's supply chain turns from plans into orders: steel, systems, outfitting and commissioning work is contracted through the build. Two yards standing up 1,200 jobs at once also means Devon and Belfast compete for the same welders, electricians and marine engineers.
- Keel laid on RFA Resurgent at Appledore
- Steelwork and block construction across Appledore and Belfast
- Systems, outfitting and commissioning subcontracts placed
- 1,200 jobs and apprenticeships recruited
- Sister ships follow, entering service in the early 2030s
- Marine systems suppliers are contracted through Navantia UK.
- Skilled trades recruitment intensifies in North Devon and Belfast.
- Local supply chains form around the two yards for the programme's life.
- Navantia UK supplier engagement or registration announcements.
- Keel laying dates for the second and third ships.
- Apprenticeship and trades recruitment campaigns at both yards.
- If you supply marine or industrial systems, approach Navantia UK's procurement team now.
- If you recruit trades, both regions have a defined, dated demand.
- If you train, the apprenticeship numbers are a stated need.
Possible consequences, not predictions. Window: 6 to 18 months.
- Which systems and outfitting packages are still to be subcontracted?
- Does Navantia UK run a supplier registration for the programme?
- What is the build schedule for the second and third ships?
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Sources
- Event date
- 3 September 2026
- Detected by BuzzBaboon
- 2026-09-12 15:21 UTC
- Last updated
- 2026-10-11 11:52 UTC
- Verification status
- primary-source-read
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