UK Ministry of Defence awards a £1.6 billion contract to Team Resolute for the manufacture of advanced vessels, with a £100 million investment in UK shipyards
Including £77 million for infrastructure at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast and Appledore shipyards. The initiative aims to create cutting-edge domestic shipbuilding capabilities, fostering innovation and generating significant employment opportunities.
Team Resolute, led by BMT, Harland & Wolff, and Navantia UK, awarded contract for 1,200 UK shipyard jobs, supporting maritime growth and delivering 800 additional jobs in the supply chain. The team will supply Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
With around 900 jobs allocated to be created at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast site, the contract, awarded by Defence Equipment & Support, marks a significant boost for Northern Ireland, reinforcing naval shipbuilding back to Belfast.
Prime Minister’s visit last month followed Team Resolute’s win for the competition to build the future Fleet Solid Support ships. Strengthening shipbuilding in England and Northern Ireland, this contract complements existing Type 26 and Type 31 frigate construction contracts in Scotland, bolstering the UK’s shipbuilding capabilities.
“Harland & Wolff’s Belfast facility, awarded a contract worth around £900 million by Defence Equipment & Support, is set to construct and assemble over 200-meter-long vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The project, supported by BMT and Navantia, aligns with the UK Prime Minister’s commitment to boost the economy by supporting thousands of supply chain jobs. Harland & Wolff plans to train 300 new UK welders, including 120 highly skilled positions supported by BMT.”
Delivering on ambitions to bolster UK shipbuilding as laid out in the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh, the contract aims to provide significant capital investment in the UK while supplying ships essential to the Carrier-led Maritime Strike Group
“The ships will be the second longest UK military vessels within the two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier groups. They will share commonality with the RFA’s Tide-class fleet tankers, also built by a British BMT design.
The majority of the three ships’ build will take place in the UK, and the contract will increase industrial productivity and develop the domestic supply chain while enhancing the industry’s environmental sustainability.
Production is due to start in 2025, with rationalization and yard improvements commencing immediately. All three support ships are expected to be operational by 2032.”