Plymouth naval base set for £7.1 billion upgrade
The government investment plan is worth 60% more than was first expected.
Last updated 16 hours ago
Devonport is to see £7.1 billion of upgrades over the next decade as part of an government investment plan to improve three of the UK’s naval bases, 60 per cent more than what was already promised to the city.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed plans to spend £26 billion upgrading HMNB Devonport, HMNB Clyde and HMNB Portsmouth with submarine docks, waterfront facilities, berths and jetties to support the Royal Navy.
The government says it is the largest programme of naval infrastructure investment since the end of the Cold War and will reinforce Devonport’s vital role as the Royal Navy’s centre for submarine deep maintenance and supporting the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
Devonport will see planned capital spending increased from £4.4 billion to £7.1 billion, an increase of over 60 per cent.
The investment is expected to support thousands of jobs across the South West. It includes the modernisation of 10 Dock for refits of the Astute-class submarines, further upgrades to 15 Dock, and the modernisation of 14 Dock as part of the submarine refuelling programme.
Luke Pollard, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and minister of state for defence readiness and industry, said: “After a decade where the future of Devonport was in question, this new investment secures the future of our naval base and the dockyard for decades to come. It’s a flagship day for Devonport.
“As Devonport’s MP, I’ve been proud to make the case for future work in submarine maintenance and the exciting opportunities that marine autonomy and the hybrid navy offer the navy and our city.
“This funding boost is a huge boost for the thousands of people employed in Devonport and a beacon to attract the workers we need as dockyard employment grows.”
The funding is part of Project Royal Oak and secures the future of all three naval bases ending the uncertainty and competition between them, said the MP.
Leader of Plymouth City Council Cllr Tudor Evans (Lab, Ham) said: “It is already incredibly transformational that the government are spending £4.4 billion in our dockyard but to hear today that we will see a near doubling of defence expenditure in our city is beyond our wildest dreams.”
Defence minister Lord Coaker said: “Our Navy deserve the best because they do so much to keep us safe in a world that is more dangerous. That is why we are investing £26 billion now to ensure our Royal Navy has the bases and infrastructure it needs for the future.
“This record investment is the biggest upgrade to our naval bases for decades and will help secure jobs and strengthen our Armed Forces for years to come.”
Plymouth was named as one of five key national defence growth areas in the UK Defence Industrial Strategy last September.
Plymouth City Council said the government investment would guarantee operations at the naval base, the largest in Western Europe, and Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard through to at least 2070.
It has been described as “an engine for growth” in the city which will drive jobs, homes and prosperity.
Babcock is set to recruit 5,000 new employees in operations and maintenance and more than 2,000 construction workers to build the new dry dock facilities.
The total number of jobs in the city is forecast to grow by 25,000 over the next decade and the city council’s plan to build 10,000 homes in the heart of the city is instrumental to its growth plan.
A city living masterplan with new infrastructure, green spaces and homes is in its early stages.
Leaders feel Plymouth’s time is now with billions of pounds of investment in the pipeline, a partnership with the government housing and regeneration agency Homes England and a number of significant announcements and designations in recent years including being named as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy and the first National Marine Park.