Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, security and energy ambitions.
Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history.
In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish.
By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the country.
Our Team
We are building a diverse team with significant expertise, with centuries of combined maritime and energy experience in the UK and globally.
Donato Martínez
CEO
VAdm (Retd) Sir Alan Massey KCB CBE
Non-executive Chairman
“Our vision for Navantia UK is to establish a world-class defence and energy capability that contributes significantly to the UK’s industrial base.”
“I am delighted to be working with Navantia UK and am determined to support their successful delivery of the Fleet Solid Support shipbuilding programme, which is of such critical importance to the Royal Navy’s future frontline capability.”
Our History
From its origins in Spain’s naval history to its strategic acquisition of Harland & Wolff, Navantia UK continues to shape the future of global shipbuilding, blending tradition with technological innovation for a stronger, more resilient maritime presence.
2025 — Acquisition of Harland & Wolff
Navantia UK acquires Harland & Wolff, merging the storied heritage of Belfast’s iconic shipyard with Navantia’s cutting-edge naval engineering. This acquisition marks a bold expansion into the UK market, ensuring a shared legacy of shipbuilding endures and thrives in the modern era.
2023 — Winning the FSS Contract
In January 2023, Navantia UK is awarded a £1.6 billion Ministry of Defence contract to build three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. These ships will provide crucial munitions, stores, and provisions to the Royal Navy's fleet, reinforcing its operational reach and sustainability on global missions. This milestone solidifies Navantia UK's influence in major defence projects and strengthens its partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence.
2005 — The Birth of Navantia
Navantia is formally established as a company, merging two traditions of Spanish shipbuilding into a strategic defence powerhouse. The company inherits centuries of naval engineering expertise, positioning itself as a leader in both military and civil shipbuilding.
1717 — The Founding of Real Arsenal de la Carraca
Navantia’s roots trace back to 1717, when Quartermaster General José Patiño established Spain's first modern shipyard: the Real Arsenal de la Carraca. This pioneering facility marked the beginning of Spain’s naval dominance, setting the stage for centuries of maritime innovation.
Our Commitments
We put our customers’ needs at the forefront of our activities.
We are driven by innovation in all areas of our work.
We collaborate with partners in order to ensure delivery and excellent performance.
We promote the transfer of knowledge and the building of advanced skills.
We support the UK naval shipbuilding capability to strengthen UK and NATO defence.
We are dedicated to creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for local communities.
Our Values
Sustainability: We are committed to economic efficiency, social responsibility, and environmental awareness. Our goal is to ensure the best future for Navantia UK, its employees, and the society we serve, prioritising environmentally responsible practices.
Pride: We pride ourselves on our achievements for our clients and our ethical conduct. We are committed to integrity, honesty, and transparency in all our operations, maintaining the highest ethical standards in the industry.
Innovation: We are guided by technological excellence and innovation as our core principles. We are tirelessly dedicated to advancing technology to lead change in the military, naval and offshore wind sectors.
One Team: We are a diverse and international team with a shared purpose. We foster a spirit of industrial cooperation, working side by side with colleagues, clients, and partners to achieve common goals.
Perseverance: We are results-oriented and driven by personal and professional growth, continually striving to achieve operational excellence in our daily work. We are committed to continuous improvement to ensure the delivery of cutting-edge products and services.
