UK commits £15.1bn upgrade to Faslane nuclear submarine base

The British government announced a £15.1 billion investment to modernise HMNB Clyde at Faslane, the home of the United Kingdom’s nuclear‑armed submarines. The spending is part of the £26 billion Project Royal Oak programme, described as the biggest naval‑base upgrade since the Cold War. The plan includes new training facilities, out‑of‑water engineering infrastructure, research and development capability, replacement of the ship lift and additional floating docks, all aimed at improving the Royal Navy’s war‑fighting readiness, availability and lethality.

Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the upgrade will also shift more submarine refit work from Devonport to Faslane, addressing historic under‑funding that has limited submarine availability. The project is expected to support thousands of skilled jobs across Scotland and the south‑west of England and to sustain the continuous at‑sea nuclear deterrent while the fleet receives its final Astute‑class boats and prepares for the arrival of Dreadnought‑class submarines and the future SSN‑AUKUS class.