The Maritime Afloat Reach and Sustainability programme involves an investment of £2billion to provide the Royal Fleet Auxiliary with a fleet able to support warships and submarines with fuel, ammunition, water and other consumables.  The UK MoD has opened the door to the potential for non-UK build of these ships which is a major concern for KOFAC.

KOFAC takes the view that the MARS fleet should be built in Britain's shipyards. In 2004 the MoD stated that:-

"The MARS vessels are regarded as 'warlike' and are imperative to the Afloat Support, that is keeping our Navy supplied with essential bulk consumables. MARS will work within the Defence Industrial Policy and as we regard our ships as 'warlike' we will work hard to maintain a UK focus.  That includes using a broader UK base, typically the offshore gas and oil industry." (Source: MARS Industry Days, January 2004)

KOFAC's concerns over MARS are twofold as follows:-

• Government may wish to look to Europe or further afield rather than a UK solution for building these 'warlike' ships.
• The production of the ships keeps being delayed.

On 12 January 2009, Parliament was informed that Government had "reviewed the fleet tanker element of the MARS programme and have concluded there is scope for considering alternative approaches to its procurement... We expect to determine a way forward in 2009, after which the main investment decision will be taken". (Hansard Col.103W). In the same announcement the shipbuilding industry was advised that "the later classes of MARS ships, fleet solid support and joint sea based logistics are at an earlier stage of their procurement... It is too early to determine when their main investment decisions will be taken."

Rand Europe informed UK MoD that "Barrow remains an untapped source of production capability and could likely play a significant role in the coming shipbuilding programme."  Barrow shipyard has both the design resources and physical build capability on the 'superberth' to be able to construct up to two MARS ships simultaneously. Birkenhead's Cammell Laird shipyard could act in a supporting role delivering modules to Barrow and subsequently offer 'through life' maintenance support. By using Barrow the UK MoD and the Treasury would reap the benefits of Barrow's shipyard facilities and experience.