Navantia UK marks one year anniversary with strong progress across UK yards
Appledore, Arnish, Belfast, Methil, 27 January 2026. Navantia UK is marking the first anniversary of its acquisition of Harland & Wolff, with clear momentum and progress across all four of its UK sites. Navantia UK set a clear ambition from the start: to modernise the yards and to position the company as the leading UK shipbuilder and manufacturer of offshore energy components.
Through its £115 m investment in modernisation, skills and industrial resilience, Navantia UK is delivering major programmes including the Fleet Solid Support ships whilst expanding capabilities across all four yards. The investment is also supporting the acquisition and installation of state-of-the-art equipment including lifting cranes, and robotic plasma cutting systems, as well as automated quality control process.
Belfast is undergoing significant modernisation, ensuring it is ready to deliver programmes beyond the FSS. The advanced panel line, currently being installed, will transform Belfast’s Harland & Wolff into one the most advanced yards in Europe.
Navantia Chairman, Ricardo Dominguez, said:
“Navantia UK is building capabilities to meet our challenges and contribute value both to the British market and to other international programmes, reinforcing Navantia’s presence and credibility in the global market,”
Donato Martínez, Chief Executive Officer of Navantia UK commented:
“As we enter 2026, the case for strengthening the UK’s sovereign industrial capability has never been clearer. Russia’s war in Ukraine, shifting geopolitics, rising competition in the Indo-Pacific and renewed focus on the High North are reshaping the global security environment. At the same time, the Government’s Allocation Round 7, awarding 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity, signals a decisive moment for the UK’s energy transition.
“These challenges and opportunities share a common requirement: industrial capacity, skilled people and sustained investment. This is exactly what Navantia UK is building.
“One year on from acquiring our four UK yards, the progress is tangible. Working alongside our partners in government, industry and local communities, Navantia UK remains fully committed to building the resilient, world-class industrial capability the UK needs.”
Specifically, the progress includes:
Appledore has cut steel for the first time in years, supported by the commissioning of a new plasma cutter and the restart of production activity. The steel cutting ceremony there took place on 3rd December with the presence of Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, and Ricardo Domínguez, Chairman of Navantia.
Arnish is delivering infrastructure projects for international clients, fabricating subsea structures and supporting offshore energy operations. Navantia UK’s investment programme at Arnish includes a new welfare block, upgraded office spaces, a dedicated training centre, improved security, refurbished overhead cranes, new car parking, and energy-efficient heating systems. These upgrades enhance both working conditions and operational capability. Arnish is well positioned to support the growing offshore wind sector, particularly following this month’s announcement of ScotWind Array Release 7 (AR7), which will drive significant demand for fabrication capacity on Scotland’s west coast.
Belfast is receiving over £90m in the recapitalisation of Harland & Wolff. At the heart of the investment, a 5,000 sq meter extension with first steel now on site for a test block. Installation of the new PEMA panel line is underway and the recapitalisation also includes modifications to existing fabrication halls to prepare for specialist welding and lifting equipment. The ship repair facilities are operational again with regular ferry calls and cruise visits in the pipeline. Colleagues are being trained as part of the knowledge transfer programme from Navantia SA. Furthermore, a test block for the FSS programme is being delivered to ensure preparedness ahead of full production.
Methil is operational again and delivering projects. The yard is fabricating the FSS barge, which will transport ship blocks between UK yards, and has recently completed specialist offshore wind infrastructure in support of Navantia Seanergies. Methil has also secured a major vessel build export contract. Navantia UK’s investment programme at Methil includes roof repairs, refurbished cranes, a new cutting machine scheduled for installation in early 2026, a steel plate storage facility, a training centre, and a self-propelled modular transporter. Methil, alongside Arnish, is strategically positioned to capitalise on the opportunities presented by AR7 and Scotland’s expanding offshore wind programme.
Fleet Solid Support: on track and delivering
The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme marked steel cutting ceremony in Appledore last December and continues to progress well, with key milestones achieved and work underway across multiple sites. At the steel cutting ceremony, the name of the first ship was revealed as RFA Resurgent. Navantia’s shipyard in Puerto Real (Cádiz) has begun the construction of its modules for the FSS programme in January 2026. The FSS programme will see Navantia UK’s shipyard in Appledore and Harland & Wolff (Belfast), work collaboratively with Navantia’s shipyards in Spain for subsequent assembly, testing and delivery in Belfast.
Each FSS ship will be 216 metres long which is the equivalent of two Premier League football pitches and will have a displacement of 39,000 tonnes, making them the second largest ships in service with UK Defence, second only to the aircraft carriers. This new capability will strengthen defence operations, enabling the Royal Navy to remain at sea for extended periods without the need to return to port.
Building a strong UK supply chain
Navantia UK is committed to working with UK suppliers across all its sites, operating a local-first approach to ensure contracts are awarded to local businesses whenever possible. This strategy strengthens sovereign industrial capability whilst creating economic opportunities and skilled employment in the communities where Navantia UK operates.
At Harland & Wolff, Cleary Contracting, a second-generation Northern Irish business, is delivering a £10m contract with 50 staff on site, including 10 directly employed and 40 subcontractors, representing nearly 20% of the company’s annual turnover. The programme also includes Barrett Steel Ireland which supplies steel sections, Briggs Equipment Ireland supporting material handling and plant hire, McKinstry managing waste services, and Wilson Utilities & Plant Hire delivering the hardstand area for steel plate storage and dock drainage works. This network of partnerships has generated significant economic activity across Northern Ireland’s supply chain.
In Appledore, Navantia UK has established working relationships with businesses including Wellington Welding Supplies, which provides specialist equipment to support operations.
Skills, jobs and the year ahead
Today, Navantia UK employs over 1,100 people in highly skilled, high value jobs and aims to employ around 2,000 by 2030. Additionally, Navantia UK employs 222 apprentices across its four sites, representing 20% of its workforce, and has committed to recruiting a further 500 by 2023 as a contribution to the national endeavor to develop sovereign skills. Navantia UK remains committed to boosting skills and promoting growth while creating a new generation of ship builders, engineers, welders, advanced manufacturing specialists and more.
Navantia UK is contributing directly to national priorities, including defence readiness, energy transition, and industrial resilience. As part of the wider Navantia Group, the business benefits from international expertise, technology transfer, and collaborative innovation, strengthening UK industry through global partnerships. The year ahead will focus on advancing major investments, delivering key project milestones, expanding industrial capability, executing an innovation plan, and securing future work. With strong foundations now in place, Navantia UK enters its second year with clear ambition and purpose.
