MOD unveils £26bn naval bases infrastructure programme

The Ministry of Defence has announced a £26 billion investment programme to transform the UK’s three principal naval bases over the next decade, creating one of the country’s largest long-term infrastructure pipelines.

The Project Royal Oak programme will deliver major upgrades across HMNB Clyde, HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth, including new docks, marine infrastructure, engineering facilities, accommodation, training centres and operational buildings. The investment forms part of the Government’s wider £298 billion Defence Investment Plan.

HMNB Clyde receives largest investment

Scotland’s HMNB Clyde (Faslane) will receive £15.1 billion, making it the largest individual investment within the programme and supporting the ongoing Clyde Transformation Programme.

Planned works include three new floating docks under Programme Euston, new shoreside infrastructure, an off-site engineering facility to expand submarine maintenance capacity, dock modernisation, training facilities, new accommodation and long-term estate renewal.

The investment will support the Royal Navy’s Astute-class submarines, the future Dreadnought fleet and the SSN-AUKUS programme.

Major renewal planned at Devonport

HMNB Devonport has been allocated £7.1 billion for extensive dockyard renewal works centred on submarine maintenance.

Projects include upgrades to 15 Dock, modernisation of 10 Dock, works to 14 Dock to restart submarine defuelling operations, alongside wider infrastructure renewal, estate improvements and maintenance across the Plymouth base.

Devonport remains the UK’s primary centre for deep submarine maintenance and supports the Continuous At Sea Deterrent, Royal Navy surface fleet and Royal Marines.

Portsmouth waterfront to be modernised

At HMNB Portsmouth, £3.9 billion will fund major waterfront improvements, docking infrastructure upgrades, modernised operational facilities, estate enhancements and new accommodation for personnel.

The programme will also deliver new research and development facilities, engineering infrastructure and training centres across all three naval bases, helping improve fleet availability and support future Royal Navy capabilities.

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Supply chain opportunities

Project Royal Oak is expected to generate significant opportunities across:

• Marine civil engineering

• Heavy civils and reinforced concrete

• Marine piling and waterfront construction

• Dock and port infrastructure

• Structural steel

• Mechanical and electrical engineering

• Building services

• Accommodation and modular construction

• Defence infrastructure specialists

• Environmental and ground engineering

• Facilities management and long-term maintenance

With delivery planned over the next decade, the programme represents one of the UK’s largest defence infrastructure pipelines and is expected to create substantial opportunities for contractors, consultants and specialist suppliers across the supply chain.