Navantia UK’s £26.7m Methil investment builds sovereign shipbuilding capacity

Navantia UK welcomed Rear Admiral Matthew Stratton, Director Naval Acquisition, to its Methil yard in Fife, where he met the site’s growing workforce and viewed the upgrades delivered by £26.7 million of investment since Navantia UK acquired the site in January 2025.

The site is being recapitalised and modernised in preparation for work on defence contracts, including UK sovereign shipbuilding and naval construction to support the Government’s Defence Investment Plan.

How investment is supporting sovereign shipbuilding capacity

During the visit, Rear Admiral Stratton received an update on the site’s modernisation programme, which is preparing Methil to deliver a growing portfolio of work. He viewed upgrades now visible across the yard, including new welfare units and offices, self-propelled modular transporters, new plasma cutting equipment, lifting systems and other site improvements.

Rear Admiral Matthew Stratton, Director Naval Acquisition, said: “It was a pleasure to visit Methil and see first-hand the significant progress being made under Navantia UK ownership. The investment in facilities, equipment and people is transforming the yard’s capability and creating opportunities for the local workforce, including a growing number of apprentices who will play a key role in the future of UK shipbuilding.

“The modernisation of Methil demonstrates the importance of sustained investment in sovereign industrial capability and highlights the contribution the yard is making to Defence outputs and the wider Defence Investment Plan.”

Photo: Navantia UK

New modern facilities and equipment

Rear Admiral Stratton also saw progress made on the construction of a new Rubb building, which will provide additional covered space for blasting, coating and finishing work, enabling the yard’s teams to work year-round in a controlled environment and deliver to the highest standard.

Navantia UK recently announced a further £12 million investment in Methil to support improved training facilities, modern machinery, infrastructure improvements and new technology, taking the total investment in the yard to £26.7 million. The funding forms part of Navantia UK’s £157m investment programme to modernise its four UK yards and rebuild advanced shipbuilding capability across the UK.

Since Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff’s four UK facilities in January 2025, the yard has returned to full operational status with a growing portfolio of work across the defence and commercial markets. The Methil workforce recently delivered the Navantia UK Seahorse pontoon, an £8 million investment which will play a critical role in enabling the construction of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships, transporting ship blocks between Navantia UK’s Appledore and Belfast facilities.

An expanding workforce and apprenticeship programme

The success of Seahorse illustrates the yard’s capability to deliver new programmes in support of the UK’s defence readiness. Methil’s shipbuilding prowess has led to the yard recently being awarded a competitive international vessel build export contract, for which it is recruiting an additional 120 people.

The workforce at Methil has already grown from 180 to 260, including 54 apprentices. A further 20 apprentices are due to join this September to support the company’s long-term commitment to building sovereign industrial capabilities in Scotland. The growth of the apprenticeship programme is a part of the wider campaign to hire 500 apprentices by 2030.

Donato Martínez, CEO of Navantia UK, said: “We’re very proud of the investment that has gone into our Methil yard, preparing it to take on contracts of significant shape and size to support the armed forces. The site is strategically important for Scotland and for the UK as a whole, and we’re bringing it up to date with the most modern possible technology.

“More work for the yard means more jobs and opportunity for local people in Fife. It was a pleasure to show Rear Admiral Stratton around the yard, to show him the facilities and to introduce him to some of our apprentices.”