In the United Kingdom at Appledore, Devon, at the Navantia UK facility, construction has begun on the first of three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA).
The ceremonial sheet metal cutting has initiated a program that is generating investments worth 115 million pounds in Navantia UK’s four shipyards, creating 1,200 jobs and 222 apprenticeships.
Staffed by members of the RFA, the ships will provide logistic support to Royal Navy operations worldwide; the FSS will feature a flight deck and hangar capable of housing two Merlin-type helicopters and UAS.
With a displacement of 39,000 tons, a length of 216 meters, a beam of 34.5 meters, featuring three at-sea refuelling platforms and around 9,000 square meters (97,000 square feet) of cargo space, the three FSS will be, after the two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, the largest surface military units in British service.
Source and photo credits @Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)
