A look back at 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on eleven months since acquiring Harland & Wolff’s four yards. Our goal is to build Navantia UK as a new force in British industry, supporting the country’s defence, security and energy ambitions.
We made clear commitments: protect jobs, invest in facilities, deliver for customers, and build a strong culture. We’re keeping those promises.
Our workforce has grown to 1,100+ employees including 222 apprentices. Our £115m investment programme is delivering modernisation across all sites. We completed Critical Design Review for the Fleet Solid Support programme, cut steel at Appledore on schedule, began building the FSS transport barge at Methil, and our Belfast panel line passed Factory Acceptance Testing. The first of our ships has been named RFA Resurgent.
The recapitalisation of Belfast is taking shape and due to complete in the coming months.
Beyond FSS, Arnish is delivering international contracts for energy customers, with ferry and cruise customers booked in and returning to Belfast. More news on future work to follow soon.
We welcomed 73 new apprentices and achieved Sunday Times Top 100 Apprentice Employer recognition. We introduced our company values. We agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with GMB and Unite unions, and launched our Phoenix Programme to drive efficiency and productivity improvements across all sites.
We’re committed to working with industry partners and building on this year’s progress with SMEs. These relationships strengthen capability and support local economies. We want to do more of this. Our success is the industry’s success.
Sovereign industrial capability matters. The investments we’re making today in skills, facilities, and technology strengthen not just our yards, but the UK’s ability to meet future challenges.
None of this would be possible without our people. To every colleague: your skill, dedication and resilience during this transformation has been remarkable. You’re building something important for your families, your communities, and our country.
Thank you to all those who are supporting this journey. We enter 2026 with clear goals, real momentum, and confidence in what we’re building together. We look forward to working with you all in the year ahead.
