Plymouth ‘critical’ to keeping UK safe, says defence minister

Wes Streeting made a visit to Devonport which will soon be home to Britain’s new anti-submarine warships

Plymouth naval base Devonport is “critical” to keeping the UK safe, the defence secretary has said. Wes Streeting made the comments on a visit to the dockyard where he saw facilities being built to support future submarines.

The base – the largest of its kind in Western Europe – is home to Royal Marines and UK Commando Forces and will also soon house Britain’s new Type 26 frigates. A total of eight of these anti-submarine warships are being built for the Royal Navy by BAE Systems and are expected to enter service from 2028.

“The work done here at Devonport is critical to keeping our country safe,” said Mr Streeting. “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.”

Devonport is the only facility in the UK responsible for the deep maintenance and defueling of the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet. The work involves keeping the fleet available and operational, while its defueling capability supports the decommissioning of older submarines at the end of their service life.

Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “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.”

Mr Streeting’s visit comes a month after the government announced that Devonport would receive £7.1bn for upgrades over the next decade in a bid to improve the Royal Navy’s “readiness, availability and lethality”, while supporting thousands jobs in the West of England. The funding is part of a £26bn package of measures that also includes investment in HMNB Clyde and HMNB Portsmouth, including new submarine docks, waterfront facilities, berths and jetties.

The government’s Defence Investment Plan has pledged to transform the UK Commando Forces by funding new high-speed boats and the latest drone and autonomous technology.

In September, Plymouth was also named as one of five key defence growth areas in the UK Defence Industrial Strategy.