A new multi-billion pound investment programme at HM Naval Base Clyde has been launched by the UK Government, with an initial £250m earmarked to upgrade infrastructure and future-proof the site for the next generation of Royal Navy submarines.
The announcement, made during a ministerial visit to the base earlier this month, marks the beginning of the ‘Clyde 2070’ programme – a long-term commitment to strengthening the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent and boosting economic opportunities in the region.
HMNB Clyde, home to the UK’s nuclear deterrent and the Royal Navy Submarine Service, is Scotland’s largest military establishment and second biggest employment site, employing more than 6,500 service personnel and civilians.
The funding will support significant upgrades to ensure the site can support the future Dreadnought-class deterrent submarines and the SSN-AUKUS class of attack submarines – both key pillars of the UK’s long-term defence strategy.
Security and skills at the core
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle visited the base alongside senior Royal Navy leaders, local MPs and council leaders from Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde, and West Dunbartonshire. The visit included tours of facilities, briefings from senior naval personnel, and a strategic discussion on how to maximise the so-called “defence dividend” for the local community.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the investment was about “security and growth,” and underlined the base’s importance to both national defence and the local economy.
“With Faslane home to the nation’s first and final line of defence – the UK’s nuclear deterrent – it’s only right that Clyde 2070 represents one of the most significant UK Government investments over the coming decades,” he said.
“It will ensure the Royal Navy can deliver the Continuous At Sea Deterrent from a modern, efficient base and create skilled jobs – including for small and medium-sized firms – while tackling critical skills shortages in nuclear, construction, maritime and project management.”
Supporting resettlement and careers
The Clyde 2070 programme is expected to benefit veterans and transitioning service personnel through increased job opportunities in high-demand sectors. As part of the wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise, HMNB Clyde already supports a supply chain of over 3,000 businesses across the UK, with defence activities in Scotland supporting around 26,100 skilled jobs.
The initial £250m investment, to be delivered over three years, will focus on early site enabling, planning for major infrastructure projects, and establishing a long-term delivery structure in partnership with industry. A key goal is to align military needs with the UK’s net-zero commitments and support wider climate change mitigation targets.
Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, said: “Our nuclear deterrent is the bedrock of the UK’s defence and the cornerstone of our commitment to NATO and global security. Scotland plays a crucial role in that.
“We are re-affirming our commitment by launching this multi-billion-pound investment in HMNB Clyde, which will support jobs, skills and growth across the West of Scotland.”
Local leadership and collaboration
The visit included a roundtable with local MPs and council leaders to ensure coordination between government and communities, including discussions on skills development, housing, transport, and education provision to support the region’s growing defence role.
Jim Lynch, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, welcomed the collaboration: “Close coordination with local councils is vital to maximise the potential economic benefits and manage infrastructure and skills issues as HMNB Clyde develops.”
The long-term investment is part of a broader uplift in UK defence spending, with a target to increase the defence budget to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. The Spring Statement also included a £2.2bn increase to the defence budget for 2025–26.
A strategic pillar of UK defence
HMNB Clyde has operated the UK’s nuclear deterrent since the 1960s, maintaining the continuous at-sea presence that forms the cornerstone of British national security. The base will continue to play a central role as the UK embarks on constructing up to 12 new nuclear-powered submarines, building on the £15bn already committed to the sovereign warhead programme.
The Defence and Economic Growth Taskforce recently recommended further support for defence SMEs, new export infrastructure and the development of localised Defence Growth Deals – all of which are now being progressed.
The Defence Nuclear Enterprise currently supports 48,000 jobs across the UK – a figure expected to rise to 65,000 in the coming decade.
With its focus on security, infrastructure, and skills, the Clyde 2070 programme represents not only a strategic defence investment, but a major opportunity for Armed Forces personnel seeking long-term careers beyond service – particularly those with experience in engineering, logistics, nuclear operations, and project management.
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