The UK Ministry of Defence reported on 3 September 2026 that the keel of RFA Resurgent, the first of three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, was laid at Navantia UK's Appledore shipyard. The names of her sister ships, RFA Reliant and RFA Resourceful, were announced at the ceremony by the Head of the RFA, Commodore Sam Shattock.

According to the release, the programme was expected to create around 1,200 UK shipyard jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships, with around £100 million invested in Navantia UK's Belfast and Appledore yards. Each ship was to have a core RFA crew of 101, with accommodation for an additional 80 personnel. RFA Resurgent was expected to enter service in the early 2030s, delivering munitions, spares, food and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels at sea, including carrier strike group operations.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the keel laying showed momentum behind the programme. Donato Martínez, CEO of Navantia UK, described it as the formal start of assembly of the first ship.