£50m defence boost announced for Plymouth to ‘create jobs and investment’

A £50 million defence investment has been announced for Plymouth and the wider South West, creating ‘hundreds of well-paid jobs’ and ‘boosting the UK’s national security’.

The government said the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal will help develop skilled jobs while ‘increasing investment in the region’, and making it easier for defence companies to develop new technology.

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New funding will expand the National Centre for Marine Autonomy, supporting the development of surface and underwater drones. 

Plans also include cutting regulatory barriers and improving access to testing facilities and waterfront innovation spaces.

A new Plymouth Marine Autonomy Trials Authority will be set up to help businesses test and deploy new technology more quickly.

Investment will also go towards skills and training. City College Plymouth will receive support for a skills hub, with around 60 new defence-related courses planned in areas such as engineering, advanced manufacturing and technology.

The deal comes alongside wider defence investment in the city, including Babcock’s planned 2,000-job Capability Centre.

Defence Minister Vernon Coaker said: “This £50m investment will see Plymouth stay a world leader in maritime autonomy by making it easier for its defence businesses, creating hundreds of good jobs and boosting the defence industry across the South West.”

He added that Plymouth already plays a key role in national defence, with HMNB Devonport described as the ‘largest naval base in Western Europe’.

According to the Ministry of Defence, “More than £6.6 billion has been spent  in the South West in 2024/25, directly supporting  37,300 industry jobs.”

“With £4 billion already committed to Devonport and defence commitments running to at least 2070, Plymouth is a crucial city for the Royal Navy,” the release continued.

Locally, concerns have been raised by MPs about whether the investment will translate into immediate support for businesses.

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Conservative MP for South West Devon Rebecca Smith said she welcomed the announcement but warned that firms still need clarity on future contracts.

She told The Moorlander: “What businesses urgently now need is the Defence Investment Plan promised last autumn.

“Across South West Devon, I consistently hear the same message… they need contracts, and they need order books to start filling up.”

She also called for the creation of formal marine test sites off Plymouth Sound to support the development of autonomous technology.

The government said the deal forms part of wider plans to increase defence spending and strengthen the UK’s long-term security and industrial base.