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RAF
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Abbreviations


Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability Programme (MARS) Armed Forces - Royal Navy - n4a1.1 - Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service - Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability project (MARS)

ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY SERVICE

Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability Project (MARS)


As part of the MARS project, in early 2012 the UK MoD announced a £432 million contract to build four new 37,000 ton tankers, each over 200 metres in length.
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With the first vessels entering service in 2016, these tankers will maintain the RFA’s ability to refuel Royal Navy ships at sea for the next 25 years. MARS tankers will be capable of supporting all types of maritime and expeditionary operations and will be compatible with the aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

The MARS vessels that will replace the existing Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) single hulled tankers will enter service at yearly intervals following the introduction into service of the first vessel in 2016.

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) is the Government’s preferred bidder for the contract. UK companies will however benefit from £150 million of associated contracts.