The UK Treasury has announced orders for new Royal Navy floating docks and a maritime research vessel, all of which will be built in the UK.
In his first Labour conference speech as chancellor, John Healey said plans to boost Britain's shipbuilding industry were part of a “new age of industrialisation” for the UK.
The former defence secretary confirmed that three new floating docks for the Royal Navy’s submarine service at HM Naval Base Clyde, at Faslane, will be built in Britain rather than put out to international tender. He said this was in light of “their importance to national security and sovereign British industry”.
This submarine infrastructure initiative – known as Programme Euston – will provide maintenance for the UK’s current and future fleet of nuclear submarines, enabling essential inspections, upgrades and repairs to be carried out.
A new marine research vessel will also be built in a UK shipyard. Set to be operational in the early 2030s, the vessel will enable vital...