£279 million to transform Gloucestershire base for Army cyber regiment
Major investment in facilities for cyber regiment at Duke of Gloucester Barracks
A £279 million project is set to deliver modern facilities for the Army’s cyber regiment at Duke of Gloucester Barracks in Gloucestershire. Signed today, the contract marks a significant step forward in enhancing the infrastructure for 13 Signal Regiment, which focuses on defensive cyber operations both in the UK and overseas.
The investment prioritises new technical and training buildings, alongside 248 Single Living Accommodation rooms and 30 Service Family Accommodation homes.
Existing military homes at the site will also undergo refurbishment.
The upgraded barracks will serve as the home for the Army’s Cyber, Information and Security Operations Centre, which aims to protect military networks from cyber threats.
This comes amid a challenging digital landscape highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review, where more than 90,000 attacks on UK military networks occurred in the last two years.
Boost for the local economy
The investment doesn’t just enhance military facilities but also contributes to the Gloucestershire economy.
92 jobs will be created, including 32 apprenticeships with structured training programmes.
Ex-military personnel will have access to employment opportunities as part of the project.
Local businesses, industries and communities will benefit from the investment, with specific targets for spending and employment:
25% of spending locally within a 50-mile radius of Duke of Gloucester Barracks
25% of the on-site workforce employed locally
40% of off-site manufacturing kept within 40 miles
25% of spending allocated to small and medium enterprises
Timeline and sustainability
Construction is set to begin in Summer 2027 and is projected to finish by Spring 2030, aligning with the regiment’s move to the barracks.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which awarded the contract to British company Bovis, has emphasized sustainability in the project, aiming to create facilities that meet future operational needs and improve living conditions for military personnel.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said:
“Our Strategic Defence Review highlights how the cyber and electromagnetic domain are at the heart of modern warfare.
“We are making this significant investment to enhance the Army’s cyber capabilities while delivering an improved lived experience for Service Personnel, alongside new homes for Service Families.
“Creating dozens of jobs, the work will also back local industry and demonstrates defence as an engine for growth.”
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