Submarine base set for £7.1bn upgrade

Submarine base Devonport is in line for a £7.1bn upgrade in a programme to improve the Royal Navy's main bases, defence minister Luke Pollard has said.

It comes after the government announced £26bn of upgrades to the Royal Navy's main bases, as part of the multi-billion pound Defence Investment Plan.

The Ministry of Defence said the funding, spread over the next 10 years, would support thousands of jobs at Devonport, Portsmouth and Clyde.

HMNB Devonport is the largest naval base in western Europe and where the refitting and refuelling of the Royal Navy's submarine fleet takes place.

• Devonport, the largest naval base in western Europe, has been supporting the Royal Navy since 1691
• The vast site covers more than 650 acres and has 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths and five basins
• Employs 2,500 service personnel and civilians, supports about 400 local firms and generates about 10% of Plymouth's income

Source: MoD

The MoD said the money would deliver major upgrades and new and replacement infrastructure across the naval base and dockyard.

The programme includes upgrades to 15 Dock, modernisation of 10 Dock, work on 14 Dock to enable submarine defuelling to recommence, and wider renewal and maintenance across the site.

Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Pollard said: "The threats facing the United Kingdom are real and they are growing. This government is not waiting - we are acting now to ensure our Royal Navy has the bases and infrastructure it needs to be ready to fight."

Pollard said the investment would transform bases into warfighting-ready facilities that "directly improve Royal Navy readiness, availability and lethality". Upgrades would see waterfront infrastructure modernised and new accommodation built.

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