UK Government announces £340m investment in Rosyth Dockyard

The UK Government has announced a £340m investment in a Rosyth Dockyard near Dunfermline in what has been hailed as a “landmark moment” for the area.

The investment will include improvements to infrastructure that will enable further submarine dismantling at the base, following the ongoing progress on the HMS Swiftsure decommissioning pilot.

Upgrades would provide a contingency dock that could allow HMS Dreadnought, the next generation of the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, to dock at Rosyth during her sea trials in the early 2030s.

The announcement comes a week after the UK Government revealed a £10bn deal for Clyde shipyards to deliver frigates for the Norwegian Navy.

Type 26 frigates will be constructed at the BAE Systems yard in the Govan area and will allow a fleet of at least 13 anti-submarine ships from the UK and Norway – at least five of which will be Norwegian – to operate jointly in northern Europe as they look to deal with increased Russian activity.

The yard is currently building eight frigates for the Royal Navy.

Labour MP for Dunfermline & Dollar, Graeme Downie, welcomed the investment which is hoped to secure a long-term future for the site.

“This is a landmark moment for Rosyth and for Fife, forming the foundation for growth and the success of vital defence jobs right here in Fife”, he said.

“This £340 million investment not only secures jobs and economic growth in the region but reinforces Rosyth’s pivotal role in supporting the UK’s strategic defence infrastructure for years to come.”

“This investment shows what can be achieved when a strong Labour voice, who believes in our national security and our world-class local workforce, works with a UK government that values long-term investment in our defence sites.”

“Our dockyard workers are among the most skilled and experienced in the world, and this investment is a clear vote of confidence in their ability to deliver for the UK’s defence needs.

“I will be seeking further detail on how this funding will be allocated and when work can commence, but what’s clear is that Rosyth is being placed at the heart of our national security and military asset management.”