SCOTS are often left complaining when Ministry of Defence jobs are moved to England, but the city of Plymouth is now up in arms because of the loss to Scotland of a vital part of the Royal Navy.
Not much notice was taken in February when the then Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon, announced that all of the UK’s submarine fleet would be moved to the Clyde naval base at Faslane by 2020.
The four Trident submarines of the Vanguard class, the two remaining Trafalgar-class submarines – due to be decommissioned by 2022 – and the three existing hunter-killer nuclear submarines of the Astute class, plus the four of the Astute class due to be commissioned over the next few years, will all be located at Faslane from 2020 – if Scotland is not independent by then.
The submarine fleet is currently based at Devonport naval base in Plymouth, which is the sole base for maintaining and repairing the UK’s nuclear submarines. A new submariners’ school will also be established at Faslane, along with the Submarine Escape, Rescue, Abandonment and Survivability Training Centre.
The removal of the submarines from Devonport to Faslane plus reductions in the number of surface vessels and Royal Marines at Devonport have sparked fears for the 300-year-old base’s future. Two local newspapers have started a campaign to “Fly the Flag for Devonport”.
On making the announcement about the transfer from Devonport, Fallon predicted a rise in jobs at Faslane from 6800 to 8200 and said: “We are now making a long-term investment of hundreds of millions of pounds to improve and upgrade the waterfront at Clyde to make sure it is ready to support the United Kingdom’s whole submarine fleet.
“As well as a boost to the Scottish economy, this will also bring welcome stability for our personnel, who work hard to help keep Britain safe and secure.”
Head of the Submarine Service, Rear Admiral John Weale, said: “Our new single integrated operating base will make significant improvements to the work-life balance of our 5000 submariners.
“Our submariners can put down their roots in Scotland knowing that they are no longer required to commute from one end of the country to another.”
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