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First Sea Lord’s 100-Day Review Puts People at the Centre of the Clyde Transformation.
7 November 2025
The Royal Navy’s long-term transformation at HMNB Clyde, home of the Submarine Service, is at the forefront of the First Sea Lord’s 100-day review, which places people, innovation, and modernisation at the heart of the Navy’s future.
As part of a £166 million investment, four new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) blocks are currently under construction at Clyde. Once complete, these modern facilities will provide accommodation for up to 630 submariners, with the first two blocks designed for students undertaking the Submarine Qualifying Course (SMQ) - due to open in 2026.
“This £166 million investment underscores our commitment to improving the quality of life for our submariners,” said the First Sea Lord. “These modern, comfortable, and practical living spaces will soon support our people as they train and serve. They are a clear example of how we are putting people first in shaping the future Royal Navy.”
The project is being delivered through the Clyde Infrastructure Programme (CIP) by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Kier Graham Defence (KGD).
It forms part of the wider Clyde Capital Programmes (CCP) - an integrated series of initiatives designed to ensure HMNB Clyde remains safe, capable, and future-ready as it supports the Continuous At-Sea Deterrent (CASD) and the introduction of the Dreadnought and Astute-class submarines.
Our transformation is about more than platforms or facilities - it’s about people.
Under the Clyde masterplan, the site is undergoing a redevelopment. The first phase, approved in early 2025, will focus on shaping the delivery environment, early enabling works, and the development of key infrastructure programmes - including waterfront upgrades, new training facilities, digital integration, and base optimisation.
These plans will see Clyde evolve into a digitally enabled, resilient, and sustainable naval hub, supporting both current and future submarine classes - including preparations for the AUKUS submarine programme.
The First Sea Lord’s 100-day review sets a clear direction for this work: to harness technology, improve infrastructure, and empower leaders while ensuring people remain the driving force behind transformation.
“Our transformation is about more than platforms or facilities - it’s about people,” he said.
“Projects like those at Clyde show how investing in modern infrastructure directly improves how we live, work, and operate. By doing so, we’re building a Navy that’s more agile, more capable and a Navy that is leading the delivery of the deterrent for Defence and NATO.