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Ministry of Defence naval base deals secure 7,500 UK jobs Ministry of Defence naval base deals secure 7,500 UK jobs
(35 minutes later)
The Ministry of Defence has awarded £3.2bn of contracts to support the management of UK naval bases.The Ministry of Defence has awarded £3.2bn of contracts to support the management of UK naval bases.
It said the deals would secure about 7,500 jobs at Devonport, Faslane and Portsmouth.It said the deals would secure about 7,500 jobs at Devonport, Faslane and Portsmouth.
The money will also be used to maintain and repair the Royal Navy's warships and submarines for the next five years.The money will also be used to maintain and repair the Royal Navy's warships and submarines for the next five years.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the investment was the "second biggest defence contract placed by this Government".Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the investment was the "second biggest defence contract placed by this Government".
'Strategic investment'
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas said: "These significant contracts represent a strategic investment in the Royal Navy's essential infrastructure.
"Without the stalwart and tireless support provided by each of the three naval bases ashore, the ships and submarines of the Royal Navy would not be able to deploy as a credible, strategic and global presence at sea."
Babcock, which manages Faslane Naval Base on the Clyde and Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth, was awarded a £2.6bn contract while BAE Systems, which manages the Portsmouth Naval Base, was awarded a £600m contract.Babcock, which manages Faslane Naval Base on the Clyde and Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth, was awarded a £2.6bn contract while BAE Systems, which manages the Portsmouth Naval Base, was awarded a £600m contract.
Up to 4,000 jobs at Devonport, more than 2,000 at Portsmouth and about 1,500 at Faslane - home to the UK's fleet of Trident nuclear submarines - will be secured.Up to 4,000 jobs at Devonport, more than 2,000 at Portsmouth and about 1,500 at Faslane - home to the UK's fleet of Trident nuclear submarines - will be secured.
Mr Fallon, former Minister for Portsmouth, said: "Following the £3.5bn Scout armoured vehicle contract, this is the second biggest defence contract placed by this Government and reflects our commitment to giving our Armed Forces what they need to keep Britain safe."
The investment comes after 1,700 shipbuilding jobs were lost last year with the ending of all naval construction at Portsmouth.The investment comes after 1,700 shipbuilding jobs were lost last year with the ending of all naval construction at Portsmouth.
'Value for money'
MoD chief of defence materiel Bernard Gray said: "The three naval bases in the UK play a vital role in the defence of this country and in the economic well-being of the regions in which they are located."
The MoD said the deals brought five existing contracts under one framework, which it said "represents excellent value for money for the MoD and the UK taxpayer with over £350m of savings secured".
John Hudson, maritime managing director at BAE Systems, said of the Portsmouth investment: "This is an exciting time for everyone at the naval base.
"Working together, we will prepare the naval base for the arrival of the UK's Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and continue to use our ship design and build knowledge to support the surface fleet in service."