'Early milestone' reached in construction of RFA Resurgent as Royal Navy support project gathers pace
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Work is continuing on the first of three new Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships
An “early milestone” has been achieved during the construction of a brand new naval vessel.
Engineers are building RFA Resurgent, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship that will eventually support Royal Navy operations. She will be the first of three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships.
As reported by the UK Defence Journal, teams are working on the nine blocks that will form the vessel’s first bow section. This is being undertaken at the Appledore shipyard in Devon.
Navantia UK said in a social media post that work at the yard has been building steadily since the first steel was cut in December 2025. Activity is increasing on a weekly basis as the programme moves from early set-up to consistent production,
“An early milestone has already been reached as the inaugural test block has completed its Structural Dry Survey with Lloyd’s Register and has been signed off as suitable for integration into the first ship, where it will form block B108,” the UK Defence Journal said.
“The next significant step is expected in mid-May, when the Fleet Solid Support transport barge arrives from Methil in Scotland. Once on site, the barge will act as the working platform for the bow section, with assembly continuing on board ahead of a scheduled delivery to Belfast from March 2027.”
FSS ships will provide munitions, stores, and provisions to Royal Navy task groups. They will replace RFA Fort Victoria, which was launched in 1990, and bolster a fleet which has been struggling to maintain its numbers. Civilian seafarers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) replenish Royal Navy warships and keep them at sea for longer by extending military operations.
The force has been under cloud in recent years. Members of the RMT union are striking today in a bitter dispute over pay and conditions, with the last 4.5 per cent offer rejected. It was described as “wholly inadequate” as it “failed to address years of below-inflation offers, minimum wage concerns and a growing retention crisis across the service”.