Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish a timeline for the delivery of new vessels under the Fleet Solid Support contract with Navantia.

Successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, which is currently in the design phase, remains a priority. The acquisition of Harland & Wolff (H&W) by Navantia UK (NUK), following the administration of H&W, has provided greater certainty to the delivery of the FSS programme and protects the UK’s shipbuilding capability, and the supply chain that supports this, now and over the long-term.

The design work is progressing well and production of the first FSS ship is expected to begin later in 2025, with all three vessels bolstering the Royal Fleet Auxiliary over the coming decade.

Whilst we have agreed with NUK the minimum changes to the contract necessary, the impact on the approved cost and in-service dates is still being assessed and will be mitigated as far as possible. On completion of this work, it will be subject to re-approval by the relevant authorities, with updates provided through official channels at the appropriate time. We are unable to comment any further on the details of the contract due to commercial sensitivities.