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Defence

Capitalising on our strategic strengths and innovative defence capabilities to safeguard Devonport Naval Base and Dockyard’s economic role, and promote Plymouth as a leader in cutting-edge defence manufacturing, autonomy and cybersecurity, to maximise the benefits to the wider economy.

Develop and strengthen cross-sector collaboration and supply chains

  • Develop a world class engineering supply chain across civil and defence sectors;
  • Build on the recommendations of the ongoing HOTSW Defence and Security Mapping Research;
  • Support the Maritime Autonomy Centre at Turnchapel which provides access to trial areas for the development of cutting-edge maritime autonomous systems;
  • Continue to support Marine Business Technology Centre in providing the conditions for innovation and supporting the city’s defence and security supply chain, as well as their work with Smart Sound Plymouth;
  • Continue to support the South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster, which provides an opportunity to generate greater collaboration and innovation amongst Plymouth defence businesses.

Develop Plymouth’s reputation as a world-class site for innovation in defence

  • Continue to support and develop our physical assets as they provide our conditions for innovation at Oceansgate and Turnchapel Wharf. Potential for future sites;
  • Build upon our world class reputation in anti-submarine warfare and nuclear deep maintenance and decommissioning, whilst establishing a reputation as a Centre of Excellence in marine autonomy;
  • Support and deliver on the findings and recommendations of the Heart of the South West LEP’s Productivity Strategy, their Local Industrial Strategy, and the Great South West manifesto.

Grow and expand the talent pool and create a workforce which is fit for the future

  • Grow and widen the talent pool, creating a work-force which is flexible, agile and fit for the future. With the City College set to develop the UK’s first Autonomous Degree we will look to build on best practice;
  • Cyber SHIP Lab: provision of test facility at the University of Plymouth for ship security hardware including a physical and synthetic ship’s bridge. This will provide a focal point for businesses to engage and improve info protection and resilience to cyber-attacks.

Work alongside the Naval Base and key partners to deliver their future vision of the HMNB: Devonport 2100

  • Lobby for Type 26 through life maintenance
  • Lobby for through life maintenance of the Type 31s and to become training hub
  • Continue to fight to retain a significant footprint of royal marines in the city
  • Develop the infrastructure and capabilities needed to support future work streams.