On the eve of the Defence Investment Plan's publication, MPs from the House of Commons Defence Committee visited Harland & Wolff's Belfast yard to review progress on the £1.6 billion Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme, which will deliver three supply vessels for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

The cross-party group heard that the programme remains on schedule and within budget, and saw how investment is introducing state-of-the-art technology, expanding skilled employment and creating new apprenticeship opportunities in Northern Ireland.

During the tour, MPs met apprentices and members of the workforce and inspected upgraded facilities, including an expanded fabrication hall, a mechanised panel line and robotic cutting systems. The delegation also viewed the iconic yellow Samson & Goliath cranes, which have recently undergone maintenance and refurbishment.

Navantia UK briefed the committee on the scale of the FSS project: three 39,000-tonne ships, each 215 metres long – roughly the length of two World Cup football pitches.

Tan Dhesi MP, Chair of the Defence Committee, said: "As Members of the Defence Committee, we understand the importance of Northern Ireland's defence industry to the defence and security of the UK. That's why we were so determined to visit Northern Ireland and see the work undertaken here.

"It was fantastic to tour Belfast's iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard. This historic yard has played a critical role in UK defence, and I'm sure will continue to do so, through the Fleet Solid Support programme.

"Our visit was an opportunity to hold discussions with Navantia about the progress of the Fleet Solid Support programme and the future of shipbuilding in Northern Ireland." Donato Martínez, CEO of Navantia UK, said: "The Fleet Solid Support programme has breathed new life into Harland & Wolff. We're transforming the yard into one of the most modern shipbuilding facilities in Europe. In doing so, we're creating skilled jobs and generating work for businesses, large and small, across Northern Ireland.

"That's the benefit, on the ground, that a big defence contract can deliver. It's a privilege to demonstrate that to an influential group of MPs.

"It's important that this doesn't end here. The Fleet Solid Support programme can't be a one-off – to ensure we all maximise the benefit of the significant investment we have made and deliver sustained prosperity to the local community."

Navantia UK highlighted its local supply-chain partnerships near its shipyards. In Northern Ireland, Cleary Contracting of Antrim holds a civil works contract worth about £10 million, supporting around 50 jobs and accounting for close to a fifth of the firm's annual turnover. Balloo Hire in Belfast and Wilson Utilities of Lisburn are also engaged on the programme.

Employment across Navantia UK's four UK yards – Appledore, Arnish, Belfast and Methil – now stands at 1,200, including 250 roles created since the company's acquisition in January 2025. Of these, 165 are in Belfast. The company has been named among the UK's Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for the second consecutive year.

Navantia UK invested £98 million to modernise the Belfast yard and says it is ready to build further ships across its UK facilities to support the sovereign defence capabilities expected to be outlined in the Defence Investment Plan, and stands prepared to work with the Ministry of Defence on future naval shipbuilding programmes.