Navantia UK investment in Harland & Wolff surpasses £98 million
Navantia UK has confirmed that its investment in the Harland & Wolff shipyard has reached £98.5 million, significantly exceeding the £77 million originally committed under pre-acquisition recapitalisation plans for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme.
The announcement was made as Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly MLA and Northern Ireland Office Minister Matthew Patrick MP visited the Belfast shipyard. The visit followed UK Government’s launch of the £50 million Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal.
The Defence Growth Deal will bring together defence and wider public investment to support companies across key defence and dual-use sectors in Northern Ireland. It aims to harness the region’s industrial strengths, drive innovation, and increase competitiveness, in line with the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy.
Navantia UK’s latest investment figures highlight the scale and pace of transformation underway in Belfast. The £98.5 million committed to the site reflects accelerated upgrades to infrastructure, facilities and capability, supporting its role in delivering the FSS programme and strengthening the UK’s sovereign industrial base.
Across both Belfast and Appledore, Navantia UK has now committed a combined £114.4 million to support the FSS programme, surpassing the original £77 million recapitalisation requirement and underlining its long-term commitment to UK shipbuilding. The overall planned investment figure across all four of Navantia UK’s shipyards has risen to £157 million.
During the visit, ministers toured the shipyard to see progress on modernisation works and the ramp-up of activity linked to the FSS programme and preparation works for an export programme that will kick off in May. They also met a range of companies involved in the supply chain, demonstrating the growing role of Northern Ireland’s industrial base in supporting delivery and driving economic impact.
The delegation additionally engaged with candidates taking part in Navantia UK’s apprenticeship assessment centre, meeting prospective apprentices as they progressed through the selection process. The visit highlighted the company’s focus on developing local skills, creating high-quality jobs, and building a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future.
Donato Martínez, CEO of Navantia UK, said:
“This level of investment reflects both the ambition and the urgency of the work underway in Belfast. We are transforming the site, strengthening supply chains, and investing in the next generation of skilled workers. Today’s visit demonstrates how this is translating into real momentum on the ground, supporting jobs, growth, and the UK’s sovereign industrial capability.
“We welcome the UK Government’s Defence Growth Deal for Northern Ireland, which will boost skills, research and development and supply chains across the region.”
Northern Ireland Office Minister Matthew Patrick said:
“As the UK Government announces our £50 million Defence Growth Deal, it feels right to visit Navantia’s iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard, which is playing a key role in the delivery of the Government’s FSS programme.
“Speaking to the young apprentices brings home the life-changing effects of this deal, allowing them to build their futures in Belfast while bringing substantial benefits to the local economy and ensuring that Belfast strengthens its reputation as a defence powerhouse into the future.”
The visit reinforces Harland & Wolff’s central role in UK shipbuilding and its importance to Northern Ireland’s economic future, as the Defence Growth Deal begins to take shape.
Included in Navantia UK’s investment is an upgraded fabrication hall, mechanised panel lines, robotic plasma cutting systems and automated quality control processes.
Once fully operational in July, the new equipment will turn Harland & Wolff into one of the most advanced shipyards in Europe – in line with Navantia’s Shipyard 5.0 concept, which uses robotics and AI to deliver the most modern shipbuilding possible.
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA said:
“It was great to visit Harland & Wolff today to welcome the announcement of a £50 million Defence Growth Deal for Northern Ireland. This investment is a clear vote of confidence in Northern Ireland’s ability to play a key role in the future of the UK’s defence industry.
“I welcome both the stability and the significant investment that the new owners, Navantia, have brought to the ship yard. What’s happening at Harland & Wolff is not just about modernising a world-class site, it’s about supporting skilled jobs, strengthening our industrial base and positioning Northern Ireland to play a leading role in the UK’s defence future.”
