£50 million boost for maritime drone production in Plymouth aims to create jobs and enhance defence
Government investment set to strengthen national security and support local economy
New investment will boost expertise in maritime drone production and drive broader defence innovation across the South West of England, the Government has announced.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed £50 million has been allocated as part of the Plymouth defence growth deal to help strengthen national security, create hundreds of jobs and drive economic growth.
Plymouth and the wider region is one of five areas set to benefit from the £250 million defence growth deal announced in September as part of the Government’s defence industrial strategy.
The Plymouth deal will expand on the work of the National Centre for Marine Autonomy with the aim of making it easier for industry to develop surface and subsurface maritime drones.
This will include reducing red tape and enabling access to “waterfront innovation labs and state-of-the-art testing facilities”, the MoD said.
The investment will support training facilities and provide teaching capacity at colleges and universities to establish 60 new defence-related courses.
It will also help “transform Plymouth’s city centre into a vibrant place to live, work and do business”, the MoD added.
Defence Minister Lord Vernon Coaker said: “We pledged a defence growth deal for Plymouth and I’m delighted to be here today to deliver on that promise.
“This £50 million investment will see Plymouth stay a world leader in maritime autonomy by making it easier for its defence businesses, creating hundreds of good jobs and boosting the defence industry across the South West.
“Plymouth is already vital for the UK’s defence, with the largest naval base in Western Europe at HMNB Devonport providing the backbone of the UK’s submarine fleet.
“Defence investment in Plymouth isn’t just good for the city, it directly strengthens the UK’s ability to keep our seas safe and our country secure.”
The deal will also fund the Plymouth Marine Autonomy Trials Authority to support start-up and marine autonomy businesses in testing and deploying maritime drones.
The Government’s strategic defence review committed to expanding the UK’s autonomous maritime expertise, but concerns have been raised about the delay in publishing the wider defence investment plan.
Sir Keir Starmer recently suggested the plan was nearing its final approval and was on his desk in Downing Street.
Air Marshal Tim Jones, deputy chief of the defence staff, told MPs in March that “a lot” of investment was needed to accelerate efforts to hit defence requirements, as he stressed the importance of the delayed investment plan being confirmed.