{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Short description|British Navy auxiliary vessel}} A '''fleet solid support ship''' is a type of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship designed to supply solids (otherwise known as dry stores), such as ammunition, explosives and food, to Royal Navy ships at sea. The term can also refer to the programme to replace the RFA's existing solid support ships, the Fleet Solid Support Ship Programme.<ref name="NSS"/>
== Current ships == {{main|Royal Fleet Auxiliary}} thumb|{{RFAux|Fort Victoria|A387|6}} The Royal Fleet Auxiliary currently operates one solid support ship: the {{sclass|Fort Victoria|replenishment oiler|4}}, combined fleet stores ship and tanker, {{RFAux|Fort Victoria|A387|6}}. thumb|RFA ''Fort Rosalie'' By 2021, the {{sclass|Fort Rosalie|replenishment ship|1}}s, ({{RFAux|Fort Austin|A386|2}} and {{RFAux|Fort Rosalie|A385|2}}), had been retired. Only RFA ''Fort Victoria'' had undergone a refit to enable her to supply the Royal Navy's new {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|1}}s with solid stores.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2020-10-07/hl8877 |title=Fleet Solid Support Ships |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=20 October 2020 |website=questions-statements.parliament.uk |publisher=UK Hansard |access-date=21 October 2020 |quote=The Royal Fleet Auxiliary currently has one Fleet Solid Support ship capable of supporting a Carrier Strike Group; RFA Fort Victoria.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=RFA Fort Victoria modified to support the aircraft carriers |url=https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/rfa-fort-victoria-modified-to-support-the-aircraft-carriers/ |accessdate=22 September 2020 |agency=Save the Royal Navy |date=14 May 2018}}</ref> With incompatible rigs, ''Fort Rosalie'' and ''Fort Austin'' were placed in extended readiness and were later sold to the Egyptian Navy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/royal-navy-sells-ships-to-egypt-desa-royal-fleet-auxiliary-fort-austin-fort-rosalie/ | title=UK sells Royal Navy ships to Egypt for first time in 30 years | date=29 October 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-of-the-potential-sale-of-the-former-rfa-austin-and-rfa-rosalie-for-recycling-only |title=Notice of the potential sale of the former RFA Austin and RFA Rosalie for recycling only |publisher=Gov.uk |date=21 May 2021 |access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref>
A programme to replace these ships, named the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Fleet Solid Support (FSS), commenced in 2017, but was delayed in 2019.<ref name="NSS"/> In May 2021, the competition was restarted to select a design within two years.
==Future ships== {{main|Fleet Solid Support Ship Programme}} thumb|A Fleet Solid Support Ship (FSS) concept
The advent of the ''Queen Elizabeth''-class aircraft carriers necessitated the development of a new class of solid support vessels to succeed the current, outdated, and incompatible ''Fort Rosalie''-class replenishment ships. <ref name=telegraph-20180419>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/19/fears-grow-new-ships-support-royal-navy-will-built-overseas/ |title=Fears grow new ships to support Royal Navy will be built overseas |last=Tovey |first=Alan |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=19 April 2018 |access-date=11 May 2018}}</ref> The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 affirmed the acquisition of three new large solid support vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) as a component of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Fleet Solid Support (FSS) initiative. In February 2019, Rear Admiral Paul Marshall was designated as the Senior Responsible Officer for this project. <ref name=FSS>{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/782102/20190225-LoA_FSSP_SRO_-_RAdm_Paul_Marshall_.pdf|title=Appointment as Senior Responsible Officer Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme|date=25 February 2019|publisher=gov.uk}}</ref>
The National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), which was published in September 2017, mandated that the design and construction of these vessels would undergo an international competition, allowing UK companies to compete with foreign firms to foster competitiveness.<ref name="NSS">{{cite web |title=National Shipbuilding Strategy: The Future of Naval Shipbuilding in the UK |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/643873/NationalShipbuildingStrategy_lowres.pdf |website=gov.uk |publisher=UK Government |access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref> Designated as "non-warships", these vessels were mandated to be tendered on an international basis in accordance with Article 346 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).<ref name="restart">{{cite news |last1=Chuter |first1=Andrew |title=Britain to restart competition for fleet solid support ships, but who's allowed to bid? |url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/05/07/britain-to-restart-competition-for-fleet-solid-support-ships-but-whos-allowed-to-bid/ |access-date=22 September 2020 |agency=DefenseNews |date=7 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="NSS"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Fleet Solid Support Ships |url=http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8351/CBP-8351.pdf |website=House of Commons Library}}</ref> This faced resistance from various political parties, notably the Labour and the Scottish National Party, along with trade unions like GMB and the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions. They expressed concerns regarding the possible job losses for British shipyards. Their suggestion was to reclassify the ships as "warships", thereby exempting them from the treaty and permitting their construction in British shipyards.<ref name=FSS/> Sir John Parker, a businessman whose recommendations laid the groundwork for the National Shipbuilding Strategy, also expressed criticism of the government's strategy, deeming it "not the right strategic approach". He further suggested that "competition limited to the UK should be contemplated for future vessels funded by defense."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allison |first1=George |title=Government's own review backs campaign to build Fleet Solid Support Ships in UK |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/governments-own-review-backs-campaign-to-build-fleet-solid-support-ships-in-uk/ |access-date=22 September 2020 |agency=UK Defence Journal |date=7 November 2019}}</ref>
In 2018, a contract notice was placed for two solid support ships, with a probable option of a third later. The ships required a total cargo capacity of up to {{convert|7000|m3|abbr=on}}, the ability to travel at a sustained speed of {{convert|18|kn|lk=in}} without resupply, the capability of delivering non-bulk logistic material whilst underway at {{convert|12|kn}} and transfer single loads of up to {{convert|5|t}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:209939-2018:TEXT:EN:HTML&WT|title=United Kingdom-Bristol: Cargo ships 2018/S 092-209939 Contract notice Supplies|first=|last=|date=16 May 2018|publisher=Ted Tenders Electronic Daily}}</ref> A list of bidders was subsequently selected with a British consortium consisting of Babcock, BAE Systems, Cammell Laird and Rolls-Royce, as well as international bidders consisting of Fincantieri (Italy), Navantia (Spain), Japan Marine United Corporation (Japan) and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) (South Korea).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/shipbuilding-firms-chosen-for-fleet-solid-support-competition|title=Shipbuilding firms chosen for Fleet Solid Support competition|first=|last=|date=30 November 2018|publisher=gov.uk}}</ref> Fincantieri and DSME later withdrew from the bid, however Fincantieri later rejoined.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pfeifer|first=Sylvia |date=20 May 2019|title=Big shipbuilders pull out of £1bn MoD support-vessel shortlist|url=https://www.ft.com/content/3dc645c6-78be-11e9-bbad-7c18c0ea0201|work=Financial Times|location=London|access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2019/05/31/in-or-out-heres-why-fincantieri-may-rejoin-bidding-to-build-british-ships|title=In or out? Here's why Fincantieri may rejoin bidding to build British ships|publisher=Defense News|first1=Andrew|last1=Chuter|first2=Tom|last2=Kington|date=31 May 2019|accessdate=31 May 2019}}</ref>
On 5 November 2019, the competition was suspended to ensure "requirements could be met" and a "value for money solution found", which raised hope from trade unions that the competition could be restarted and involve only UK shipyards.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hollinger |first1=Peggy |title=MoD halts £1bn international tender for support ships |url=https://www.ft.com/content/39c16806-0019-11ea-b7bc-f3fa4e77dd47 |accessdate=22 September 2020 |agency=Financial Times |date=5 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="restart"/>
On 21 September 2020, Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, stated the vessels were "warships", effectively confirming they would be built in the United Kingdom.<ref name="warships">{{cite web |title=House of Commons Hansard: Topical Questions - 21 September 2020 Volume 680 |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-09-21/debates/1096F62B-E304-457A-A501-D7D2CD6F997B/TopicalQuestions |website=UK Parliament |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=21 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UK Government u-turns on Fleet Solid Support Ship designation |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/industry-news/uk-government-u-turns-on-fleet-solid-support-ship-designation/ |access-date=22 September 2020 |agency=Naval Technology |date=22 September 2020}}</ref> On 21 October 2020, it was announced that the competition for the FSS would be re-started in Spring 2021,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/fleet-solid-support-ship-competition-to-resume-in-spring/|title=Fleet Solid Support ship competition to resume in Spring|date=2 March 2021|publisher=UK Defence Journal|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref> covering three ships and it will be an international competition but the team must be a led by a British company.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=UK shipbuilding boosted by warship procurement |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-shipbuilding-boosted-by-warship-procurement |work=UK Ministry of Defence |location=London |date=21 October 2020 |access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref> In May 2021 the competition to build the ships was relaunched with the aim of taking a decision within two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/competition-for-three-fleet-solid-support-ships-launched/|title = Competition for three Fleet Solid Support ships launched |work=UK Defence Journal |date = 21 May 2021}}</ref> In July 2022, Rear-Admiral Paul Marshall, the Senior Responsible Officer for the Fleet Solid Support ship project, told the House of Commons Defence Select Committee that the first ship was envisaged for service entry in 2028 with the third entering service by 2032.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-changes-course-on-interim-anti-ship-missile-for-a-second-time/ | title=Royal Navy changes course on interim anti-ship missile for a second time |work=Navy Lookout | date=6 July 2022 }}</ref> In November 2022 it was announced that Team Resolute (BMT, Harland & Wolff and Navantia) had been selected to build the ships with the start of construction anticipated in 2025. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/11/team-resolute-wins-contract-to-build-royal-navys-fss-ships/ |title=Team Resolute Wins Contract To Build Royal Navy's FSS Ships |work=Naval News |date=16 November 2022 |access-date=2 December 2022}}</ref> The manufacturing contract, with a value of £1.6 billion, was signed in January 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/01/uk-mod-signs-contract-with-team-resolute-for-3-logistic-ships-for-the-royal-navy/ |title=UK MoD Signs Contract With Team Resolute For 3 Logistic Ships For The Royal Navy |work=Naval News |date=18 January 2023 |access-date=19 January 2023}}</ref> It was subsequently indicated by the Ministry of Defence that the first ship's operational availability would now not be until 2031.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2023-06-13.HL8463.h&s=Fleet+Solid+Support|title=Fleet Solid Support Ships: Procurement Ministry of Defence written question – answered on 27 June 2023 |website=They Work for you |date=27 June 2023}}</ref>
The Team Resolute design envisages a vessel about {{convert|216|m|ftin}} in length with three replenishment-at-sea rigs and possessing about {{convert|9,000|m2}} of cargo space. The ship hangars will have the capacity to support two Merlin helicopters as well as unmanned aerial vehicles. Vessel speed is envisaged at {{convert|19|kn}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/team-resolute-selected-as-preferred-bidder-to-build-the-fleet-solid-support-ships/ |title=Team Resolute selected as preferred bidder to build the Fleet Solid Support Ships |work=Navy Lookout |date=16 November 2022 |access-date=2 December 2022}}</ref>
In December 2025, it was revealed at the steel-cutting ceremony for the initial vessel of the three that the first ship would be designated as RFA ''Resurgent''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 December 2025 |title=UK cuts steel on new support ship as RFA Resurgent is named |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-cuts-steel-on-new-support-ship-as-rfa-resurgent-is-named/ |website=ukdefencejournal.org.uk |access-date=3 December 2025}}</ref> The subsequent vessels are allegedly to be designated as RFA ''Resource'' and RFA ''Regent'', respectively, but with RFA ''Reliant'' another potential option.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 December 2025 |title=Steel cut for RFA Resurgent, the first Fleet Solid Support ship - Navy Lookout |url=https://www.navylookout.com/steel-cut-for-rfa-resurgent-the-first-fleet-solid-support-ship/ |website=navylookout.com |access-date=3 December 2025}}</ref>
==See also== * {{sclass2|Tide|tanker|1}} - replenishment tankers which are also part of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme.
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Royal Fleet Auxiliary Category:Ship types Category:United Kingdom defence procurement