UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has launched a competition to build three new Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships to provide vital support to Royal Navy operations across the world.

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia and Northern Irish shipyard Harland and Wolff (H&W) have entered an exclusive teaming agreement to jointly bid for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) Programme, tender details for which are likely to be released by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD in the forthcoming months.

RFA Argus has set sail for the Caribbean in preparation to support the British Overseas Territories during the upcoming hurricane season and will be able to assist with the response to the Covid-19 pandemic if required.

Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia will be exhibiting at DSEI 2019 and is set to unveil its design proposal for the UK Ministry of Defence 's Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme alongside its partner, BMT.

RFA Tideforce was commissioned with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary on July 30, joining her sister ships Tidespring, Tiderace and Tidesurge in providing fuel at sea to Royal Navy, NATO and allied warships.

Royal Navy Tidesurge tanker has been welcomed to the fleet today with a dedication service at Greenock’s Ocean Terminal, the service announced on Feb. 20, 2019. The tanker is the latest of four new Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships acquired under the 450M£ (US$588M) MARS Tanker programme.