Belfast. Navantia UK has announced plans to invest in Harland & Wolff’s facilities to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and clean energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the country.
Following the recent completion of Harland & Wolff’s acquisition, senior leadership from Navantia and its British subsidiary, Navantia UK, today visited the Belfast shipyard. The team will tour all four sites – Belfast, Appledore, Methil and Arnish – over the coming days.
“Today marks the beginning of our shared journey. We are not just combining two companies; we are building a formidable team,” said Navantia’s Chairman, Ricardo Domínguez.
Speaking to the workforce, Domínguez announced that Navantia UK will resume and expand the investment and recapitalisation plan for Harland & Wolff, which is central to the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme but had been paused in recent months.
The investment across the four sites will fund cutting-edge facilities, technology and training, underpinned by a comprehensive business plan to integrate these facilities into the UK’s industrial and defence ecosystem.
As prime contractor for the FSS programme, Navantia UK will build three ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, with integration and delivery taking place at Harland & Wolff’s Belfast shipyard.
Northern Ireland Economy Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the agreement, stating, “I will continue to work with the company to discuss future plans for the shipyard to scale up operations and ensure its long-term sustainability.”
Brigadier Andrew Muddiman, Royal Navy Regional Commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, said, “The patience of so many during this process has been rewarded with a firm vote of confidence by the British Government in both the National Shipbuilding Strategy’s order pipeline and the Belfast workforce. The Royal Navy is delighted that Navantia UK has entered the UK shipbuilding market with its acquisition of this iconic facility, which has built so many fine ships for the Royal Navy throughout its history.”
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mickey Murray, highlighted the “momentous occasion, marking a new chapter for one of our city’s most iconic industrial sites”.
“For generations, Harland & Wolff has been at the heart of Belfast’s identity, in the very skyline of our city by the famous Samson and Goliath cranes. This partnership with Navantia secures the future of Harland & Wolff, ensuring that it remains a cornerstone of Belfast’s industrial heritage and a strategically important employer for many years to come,” Murray said.
“Not only does this deal protect skilled jobs, but it also creates new opportunities for the people of Belfast – from engineering and construction to design and innovation, strengthening the foundations of our local workforce. In meetings with staff and stakeholders, Navantia’s management emphasised that the FSS programme represents more than ship delivery – it is about modernising facilities and growing a skilled workforce to strengthen UK defence and shipbuilding capabilities,” he said.
The integration of Harland & Wolff into Navantia creates a platform for delivering both sovereign defence and clean energy capability, supporting the UK’s strategic priorities in national security and energy transition.
Navantia brings proven expertise in knowledge and technology transfer, which will be crucial in transforming these historic facilities into modern, competitive operations serving both defence and commercial opportunities.
