FLEET SOLID SUPPORT

Rating: Compared to financial year 24/25 Q4, the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating at 25/26 Q4 remained at Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. The Fleet Solid Support programme has continued to make steady progress in the 2025/6 reporting year with the Critical Design Review milestone achieved in late 2025 ahead of formal cut steel for RFA Resurgent (ship 1) on 03 Dec 25. 2. The programme is now firmly in production with blocks started at three of the build locations. Navantia UK understanding and growth of capability at the yards they now operate, post Harland and Wolff takeover, has progressed. 3. The major part of the infrastructure investment agreed as part of the FSS contract is now nearing completion. 4. Areas of concern remain the supply chain, team resourcing and the longer-term issue of the crewing of the ships which at present will likely slow the entry into service

Schedule: Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's end-date at 25/26-Q4 remained the same at 31/03/2033.

Cost: Exempt under Section 43 - Commercial interests

Source: NISTA Major Projects Annual Report 2025-26 (data)

Rating: The Project's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 24/25-Q4 is AMBER, compared with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority's assessment last year of AMBER. This is due to the following factors. The Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme has continued to make steady progress with the first major milestone of Preliminary Design Review achieved in October 2024. The project now focuses on detailed design heading towards the start of construction which is planned for later this year. A significant risk materialised when it became apparent that the Harland & Wolff shipyards were in financial difficulty. Navantia UK confirmed their commitment to UK industry by securing a commercial deal to purchase the shipyards, thereby giving greater certainty of a successful delivery of the FSS contract. The impact on the overall programme schedule is currently being assessed. Areas of concern remain the supply chain, whilst internally team resourcing is a challenge with the longer-term issue of the crewing of the ships which at present will likely slow the entry into service.

Schedule: Compared to financial year 23/24-Q4, the project's end-date at 24/25-Q4 remained at 31/03/2033.

Cost: Section 43 - Commercial interests

Source: NISTA Annual Report 2024-25 (data)

Rating: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 23/24-Q4 decreased from Green to Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors. Since contract award in January 23, the project has been mobilising at pace to maintain the tight schedule to delivery. The prime contractor with the other members of Team Resolute are actively recruiting to build capability and capacity, with physical delivery focused on infrastructure investment and competing major sub-contracts for ship equipment. The reduction in DCA reflects the challenges recognised in maintaining a tight schedule against a difficult supply chain picture, post contract safety regulatory driven change and internal and external workforce retention and growth issues.

Schedule: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4, the programme's end-date at 23/24-Q4 remained on schedule to finish 2033-03-31.

Cost: Exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests) - Commercial interests.)

Source: IPA Annual Report 2023-24 (data)