The RFA flotilla is a civilian manned fleet of ships. Its main task is to support the Royal Navy at sea with fuel, stores and ammunition. The RFA also supplies ships for aviation support, amphibious support, forward repair facilities and secure sea transport for the MOD.
The team provides engineering support to the RFA vessels currently in service. It is responsible for upkeep, update, safety management and spares support for vessels of the RFA flotilla, as well as being the design authority for these ships.
The team will also deliver the planned future Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) capability which seeks to provide the Royal Navy with the ability to operate away from the UK for protracted periods of time. MARS vessels are planned to replace some of the existing RFA fleet following their progressive retirement from service.
The current focus is on the MARS Tanker project which will deliver double hulled tankers in order to comply with International Maritime Organisation legislation.