- Defence Secretary Wes Streeting's visits HMNB Devonport
to see Navy innovation in action.
- Devonport is the largest naval base in Western Europe and
pivotal to UK and NATO security.
- £7 billion investment in HMNB Devonport part of the largest
naval infrastructure programme since the end of the Cold War.
Billions of pounds of investment is supporting skilled
jobs and driving modernisation of the UK's maritime
forces, as the Defence Secretary saw firsthand during his
visit to HMNB Devonport.
Accompanied by , MP for Plymouth Sutton and
Devonport and Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, the
visit highlighted the unique and vital capabilities based at
Western Europe's largest naval base.
Plymouth is home to Royal Marines and UK Commando Forces and will
become home to the Royal Navy's new Type 26 frigates, cementing
its position at the centre of the UK's naval power for decades to
come.
Devonport is the only facility in the UK responsible for the deep
maintenance and defueling of the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine
fleet. Its maintenance work underpins the UK's continuous at-sea
deterrent by keeping the submarine fleet available and
operational, while its defueling capability supports the
decommissioning of older submarines at the end of their service
life.
During the visit, the Defence Secretary met Royal Navy personnel
and industry partners who deliver the engineering, maintenance
and support that keeps the Royal Navy's fleet operational and saw
the facilities under construction that will support submarines in
the years ahead.
Defence Secretary MP, said:
"The work done here at Devonport is critical to keeping our
country safe. From our Commando Forces ready to deploy at a
moment's notice, to our Navy personnel and industry who maintain
our submarines Plymouth is a city where defence runs in the
blood.
As we bring the Type 26 fleet to Devonport in the coming years,
we're investing in this base and our forces, ensuring it will
remain at the heart of our naval power for generations to come,
and continuing to push the frontier of defence innovation."
Around £500 million was committed as part of the Defence
Investment Plan to continue the transformation of the UK Commando
Forces, including equipping personnel with new high-speed boats
and the latest drone and autonomous technology.
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP, and Minister for
Defence Readiness and Industry, said:
"Devonport is the beating heart of Plymouth, and it was fantastic
to welcome the Secretary of State here today to see for himself
what our Commando Forces, submariners, and dockyard workers do
for our national security.
"This is a base with a proud history and an even brighter future.
The Type 26 fleet and the continued investment in our submarine
capability means Devonport will remain vital to the defence of
this country, and vital to jobs and skills here in Plymouth."
As one of the Royal Navy's three main naval bases, Devonport is
set to be a major beneficiary of Royal Oak, a £26 billion
ten-year programme to modernise UK naval infrastructure,
confirmed as part of the Government's Defence Investment Plan and
the largest such programme since the end of the Cold War.
Royal Oak includes £7.1 billion to deliver major upgrades and new
infrastructure across the Naval Base and Dockyard. The investment
will bolster Devonport as a warfighting-ready facility, directly
improving Royal Navy readiness, availability and lethality, while
supporting thousands of skilled jobs in the Southwest of England.
£50 million defence investment is being put into Plymouth and the
South West, making it easier for defence businesses to innovate,
creating skilled jobs in the region and boosting UK national
security through the Plymouth Growth Deal.
It will help create hundreds of new jobs and increase investment
in the region. The investment reinforces Plymouth as a leader in
maritime autonomy, developing the technology that helps keep the
UK safe at sea. Plymouth was named the UK's National Centre for
Marine Autonomy, recognising the city's growing role in
developing autonomous maritime technology alongside the Royal
Navy and industry partners, including work supporting the Navy's
Hybrid Navy programme.
