A £50 million defence investment is being directed into Plymouth and the South West, supporting innovation, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and reinforcing the region’s role in strengthening UK national security.
The Plymouth Defence Growth Deal is designed to make it easier for defence businesses to innovate and grow, while cementing Plymouth’s position as a global leader in maritime autonomy.
The deal is expected to create hundreds of new defence and technology jobs, attract increased private sector investment, and support growth across the South West’s defence supply chain.
By targeting high‑value sectors such as autonomous maritime systems and advanced engineering, the investment aims to ensure defence continues to act as an engine for economic growth across the region.
A significant portion of the £50m investment will expand the National Centre for Marine Autonomy in Plymouth, removing barriers to innovation and speeding up development for defence companies.
The expansion will cut red tape for defence innovators, provide waterfront innovation laboratories, and offer state‑of‑the‑art testing facilities. This will make it easier for industry to develop and test surface and subsurface maritime drones, helping new technology reach operational use more quickly.
The deal also includes the creation of the Plymouth Marine Autonomy Trials Authority, a new body designed to support start‑ups and marine autonomy businesses.
The authority will help firms to test autonomous maritime systems, navigate regulatory processes, and deploy technology faster. By accelerating routes to market, the initiative aims to support business growth while maintaining safety, quality and regulatory standards.
Investment will also support Plymouth City College’s skills hub, expanding technical training facilities and teaching capacity across colleges and universities.
Up to 60 new defence‑related courses will be delivered, focusing on:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Engineering and technology
- Specialist defence skills
The training offer will be closely aligned with the needs of Plymouth’s defence sector, ensuring a pipeline of skilled workers for the future.
Combined with Babcock’s 2,000‑job Capability Centre, the investment is expected to transform Plymouth city centre into a vibrant place to live, work and do business.
Together, these initiatives will strengthen links between industry, education and innovation, while supporting regeneration and long‑term economic resilience.
The Plymouth Defence Growth Deal directly supports commitments set out in the Strategic Defence Review, particularly the expansion of the UK’s autonomous maritime expertise.
It also sits alongside the UK Government’s commitment to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, with defence investment set to reach 2.6% of GDP from 2027.
Lord Vernon Coaker, Defence Minister, said:
“We pledged a Defence Growth Deal for Plymouth and I’m delighted to be here today to deliver on that promise. 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.
“Plymouth is already vital for the UK’s defence, with the largest naval base in Western Europe at HMNB Devonport providing the backbone of the UK’s submarine fleet. Defence investment in Plymouth isn’t just good for the city, it directly strengthens the UK’s ability to keep our seas safe and our country secure.”
The South West’s defence sector is one of the most capable and strategically important in the UK. Global defence companies including Thales, Babcock, Leonardo, Airbus and BAE Systems operate in the region, alongside a thriving ecosystem of innovative smaller firms.
Up‑and‑coming businesses such as Rowden Technologies and Oshen are driving progress across:
- Underwater and autonomous drones
- Submarine support systems
- Advanced helicopter engineering
In 2024/25, the Ministry of Defence spent more than £6.6 billion in the South West, supporting 37,300 industry jobs, with almost £400 million directed to small and medium‑sized enterprises.
With £4 billion already committed to Devonport and defence activity planned well into the 2070s, Plymouth remains a crucial city for the Royal Navy and the UK’s wider defence capability.
The £50m defence investment further strengthens Plymouth’s long‑term role in national defence, innovation and economic growth, ensuring the city and the South West remain at the forefront of the UK’s security and technology ambitions.
Image credit: iStock
