The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme has achieved a milestone with the completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR), marking the transition from design to manufacturing for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s (RFA’s) next-generation support ships. The CDR provides the green light to begin physical production of the three FSS ships, which will take place at Navantia’s yard in Belfast. The comprehensive Ministry of Defence (MoD) review assessed the complete, detailed design of the vessels, from hull structure to equipment fit. The review covered overall structural integrity, safety standards, environmental sustainability, risk minimisation and military systems integration.
The successful CDR follows October 2024’s Preliminary Design Review and was marked in both Belfast and Cádiz, where UK technical teams have been participating in a knowledge transfer programme. This programme enables British teams to work alongside their Spanish counterparts, learning advanced shipbuilding techniques and processes that will be implemented in the UK yards.
The three ships being built for the RFA under the FSS programme will deliver supplies to Royal Navy warships. Each vessel is 216m in length and will be the largest UK military ships with the exception of the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
The FSS programme has a dual strategic objective: delivering operational capability through three next-generation support ships whilst simultaneously rebuilding sovereign UK shipbuilding capacity through the modernisation of UK yards, including technology transfer to Navantia UK from Navantia in Spain, along with workforce development.
BMT has been selected to deliver the design for the FSS ships. This design is adaptable to counter evolving threats and integrates energy-saving technologies, future fuel flexibility and emission-reduction systems to support the Royal Navy’s Net Zero 2050 objectives. BMT will continue advising on design evolution, develop through-life support and training packages and lead safety, environmental and security accreditation through to vessel acceptance.
FSS chief engineer at the MoD Ian Randles says: “Completing the CDR…gives us confidence that we are on track to deliver these vital support ships. We are ready to move forward with cutting steel and beginning construction of these advanced vessels.”
