Navantia UK announced on 29 January 2025 that it plans to invest in shipbuilder Harland & Wolff’s facilities to strengthen the UK’s defence, maritime and clean energy industrial capabilities.

The announcement came just two days after Navantia UK confirmed it had completed its acquisition of Harland & Wolff’s facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil and Arnish. The acquisition ensures the continuation of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme, which entails the construction of three ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to support the UK Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group. These vessels will be built at the Belfast and Appledore facilities alongside parent company Navantia’s facilities in Spain.

Visiting Harland & Wolff’s Belfast shipyard on 29 January, Navantia Chairman Ricardo Domínguez said, “Today marks the beginning of our shared journey. We are not just combining two companies; we are building a formidable team.”

Domínguez announced that Navantia UK will resume and expand the investment and recapitalisation plan for Harland & Wolff, which is central to the FSS programme but had been paused in recent months.

The investment across the four Harland & Wolff sites will fund cutting-edge facilities, technology and training, underpinned by a comprehensive business plan to integrate these facilities into the UK’s industrial and defence ecosystem.

As prime contractor for the FSS programme, Navantia UK will build three ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, with integration and delivery taking place at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast shipyard.

Brigadier Andrew Muddiman, Royal Navy Regional Commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, was quoted by Navantia as stating, “The patience of so many during this process has been rewarded with a firm vote of confidence by the British government in both the National Shipbuilding Strategy’s order pipeline and the Belfast workforce. The Royal Navy is delighted that Navantia UK has entered the UK shipbuilding market with its acquisition of this iconic facility, which has built so many fine ships for the Royal Navy throughout its history.”

Navantia UK’s acquisition of Harland & Wolff has ensured the continuation of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme, which entails the construction of three ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to support the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group. (Photo: Navantia UK)