Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (): I am today announcing the
largest investment in the United Kingdom's naval bases since the
end of the Cold War.
As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, improving readiness
and strengthening our ability to generate maritime forces at pace
is central to the Government's approach to national security in
an increasingly uncertain world. Our naval bases are critical
national infrastructure, and their condition directly affects the
availability, credibility and effectiveness of the Royal Navy.
As confirmed in the Defence Investment Plan, I can announce today
that the Government is delivering Project Royal Oak, which is the
collective name we have given to the extensive strategic
investment we have committed for improvements to His Majesty's
Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, His Majesty's Naval Base Devonport,
and His Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth. Collectively, this
represents approximately £26bn[1] of investment over
the next ten years to increase the readiness, availability and
lethality of the Royal Navy.
- Investments at HMNB Clyde are governed by the Clyde
Transformation Programme. This will see a multi-decade,
multi-billion-pound transformation of the site covering
everything from dock infrastructure, training and accommodation
facilities. It will also include Programme Euston which will see
three new floating docks and shoreside infrastructure for
submarine maintenance with a renewed focus on asset management
that will sustain infrastructure over the long term. There will
also be a separate, offsite engineering facility established to
boost maintenance capacity. This comprises £15.1bn over the next
decade.
- In the South-West, forecast investment of £7.1bn over the
next decade at HMNB Devonport will deliver major upgrades and new
and replacement infrastructure across the Naval Base and
Dockyard. Devonport is the UK centre for submarine deep
maintenance and supports the Continuous At Sea Deterrent,
submarines, ships, sailors and the Royal Marine Commando Force.
The programme includes upgrades to 15 Dock, modernisation of 10
Dock, work on 14 Dock to enable submarine defueling to
recommence, and wider renewal and maintenance across the site.
This reflects both previous under-investment in infrastructure
and a changing operational requirement.
- On the Solent, forecast investment of £3.9bn at HMNB
Portsmouth will ensure recovery from years of disinvestment
alongside vital modernisation to meet the emergent demands of a
Hybrid Navy which is maximised for warfighting readiness. This
includes Project Bentham to upgrade jetties, berthing and support
systems; a Capability Accelerator to support the Hybrid Navy and
fast-track technological development; a Skills Development Centre
for apprentice and adult learning; and expansion of the Royal
Navy Warfighting Centre.
Taken together, these projects will modernise docks, jetties,
engineering facilities and support infrastructure across the
naval estate, ensuring our bases are resilient, capable and fit
to support current and future fleets.
In these uncertain times, this investment will ensure that the
Royal Navy is better placed to meet the challenges it faces,
strengthen deterrence, and protect the United Kingdom's security
and interests at home and overseas. The House will be kept
informed as these projects progress.
[1] Some of this funding sits within the Nuclear
Ringfence
