UK’s Fleet Solid Support programme passes its critical design review

The UK’s Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme has successfully completed its critical design review (CDR), marking the transition from design to manufacturing for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s (RFA’s) next-generation support ships, the UK arm of Spanish shipyard Navantia announced on 12 November 2025.

The CDR, an essential stage in the shipbuilding process, provides the green light to begin physical production of the three FSS ships on order for the Royal Navy.

“This 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,” Navantia UK stated.

The successful CDR follows a preliminary design review in October 2024 and was marked in both Belfast, where Navantia now operates the Harland & Wolff shipyard, and Cádiz, where UK technical teams have been participating in a knowledge transfer programme. The programme enables British teams to work alongside their Spanish counterparts, learning advanced shipbuilding techniques and processes that will be implemented in the UK.

The three ships being built for the RFA under the FSS programme were ordered under a GBP 1.6 billion (EUR 1.81 billion) contract awarded in January 2023 to Team Resolute, in which Navantia UK is the prime contractor and the UK’s BMT Group is responsible for the design. Designed to deliver supplies to Royal Navy warships at sea, each FSS vessel is 216 m long; they will be the largest UK military ships with the exception of the Royal Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

Donato Martínez, CEO of Navantia UK, was quoted in a company press release as stating, “CDR confirms the hard work and collaboration between MoD, BMT and Navantia UK. This milestone demonstrates that the programme is ready to meet its operational, logistical and efficiency needs as it gears up to deliver for the Royal Navy and RFA.”

Ian Randles, the FSS chief engineer at the MoD, added, “Completing the Critical Design Review represents a significant achievement for the Fleet Solid Support programme and demonstrates the strong partnership between DE&S [the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation], Navantia UK and BMT. This milestone gives us confidence that we’re on track to deliver these vital support ships that will enhance the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s global reach and ensure our naval forces have the logistical support they need wherever they operate. We’re now ready to move forward with cutting steel and beginning construction of these advanced vessels.”