Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to ensure that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary has adequate support capacity pending the fulfilment of the Fleet Solid Support Ship Programme.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) continues to play a vital role in sustaining Royal Navy operations worldwide, and the Department remains committed to ensuring that sufficient support capacity is maintained ahead of the delivery of the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships.

In the interim period, the Ministry of Defence has taken measures to mitigate any potential capability gap, including the careful management and sustainment of existing RFA replenishment vessels. In addition, the Royal Navy routinely works with allies and partners to provide mutual logistical support when operating in combined task groups, ensuring that deployed forces can be sustained effectively.

Work on RFA Resurgent is underway in yards across the UK.