The Ministry of Defence has unveiled plans for Project Royal Oak, a £26 billion programme to rebuild the UK’s three principal naval bases through a decade of marine civil engineering, dockyard modernisation and major construction works. The investment represents the largest programme of naval infrastructure renewal since the Cold War.
The ten-year programme will deliver new docks, waterfront infrastructure, engineering facilities, accommodation and operational buildings at HMNB Clyde, HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth. The works form part of the Government’s wider £298 billion Defence Investment Plan, which is intended to strengthen the UK’s long-term defence capability and modernise key military infrastructure.
HMNB Clyde will receive the largest share of funding, with £15.1 billion allocated to the base. The investment is expected to transform Faslane into Scotland’s largest construction site, supporting extensive redevelopment to meet the future operational requirements of the Royal Navy.
Across all three naval bases, the programme will also deliver new research and development facilities, advanced training centres and expanded out-of-water engineering infrastructure. These investments are intended to improve fleet availability, enhance maintenance capabilities and support the next generation of Royal Navy vessels through upgraded dockyard and engineering facilities.
