Shipyard group Harland & Wolff has formally signed a sub-contract with Navantia, the Spanish state-owned shipbuilder which is to deliver three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) naval ships to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Harland & Wolff said the FSS deal will generate in the region of £700-£800m in revenue for the company by the time the final Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship is delivered. The ships will serve the requirements of the UK Royal Navy. 

Up to 900 personnel will be employed at H&W's largest facility at the iconic Belfast shipyard where the peak of the seven year build programme is to take place with  production due to start in 2025.

The newbuild production process it has emerged will involve a significant amount of work for the £1.6 billion contract to be carried elsewhere at sites in south-west England and southern Spain.

Each of the trio of FSS ships will be assembled from 21 separate blocks, of those seven will be built in Cadiz.

It has also been confirmed by Harland & Wolff that all three bow sections of the newbuilds will be built at H&W's Appledore facility in Devon.

The same shipyard Afloat adds (under previous owners, Babcock Marine) built modular sections for the UK Royal Navy's pair of Queen Elizabeth II air-craft carriers, with assembly taking place at their shipyard in Rosyth, Scotland.

As for the assembly of the blocks for the FSS newbuilds, this is expected to be conducted in Belfast from where the ships will be commissioned.

The Irish News has more on the shipyard group's subcontract.