Investment outlined in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has also been descried as an “engine for growth” by governent - and could provide a boost to the infrastructure sector.

Defence secretary John Healey said the country was in “a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence” while outlining the government's defence spending plans.

Announcements include more than £1.5bn extra for forces family housing meaning more than £7bn will be spent on military accommodation in this Parliament, tackling the poor state of forces accommodation across the country.

The government also announced £1.5bn for an “always on” pipeline for munitions and building at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK. Creating more than 1,000 skilled manufacturing jobs, the factories will produce munitions and energetics, which are key components of weapons, including propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics. The government would invest £6bn in munitions this Parliament.

Other key points in the SDR included:

• Continuous submarine production - up to 12 conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines through the AUKUS programme.
• UK defence innovation - £400m to invest in UK-based companies.
• New Defence Exports Office - driving exports to the UK’s allies and growth at home.
• Creations of a ‘New Hybrid Navy’ - building the Dreadnought and SSN-AUKUS submarines, cutting-edge warships and support ships, transforming carriers and introducing new autonomous vessels to patrol the North Atlantic and beyond.
• “10-time more lethal army” - to deter from the land, by combining more people and armoured capability with air defence, communications, AI, software, long-range weapons and land drone swarms.

Defence secretary, John Healey, said: “The hard-fought lessons from Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine show a military is only as strong as the industry that stands behind them. 

“We are strengthening the UK’s industrial base to better deter our adversaries and make the UK secure at home and strong abroad. 

We will embrace the Strategic Defence Review; making defence an engine for economic growth and boosting skilled jobs in every nation and region as part of our Government’s Plan for Change.”

Chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves, added: “A strong economy needs a strong national defence, and investing in weaponry and munitions and backing nearly 2,000 jobs across Britain in doing so is proof the two go hand-in-hand.”

Commenting on the SDR, Bob Anstey, sector director, defence and nuclear energy at Costain, said: “Amidst a continued uncertain geopolitical backdrop, the need to ensure the UK’s defence infrastructure is fit for purpose has come into an even keener focus.

 “The government has set out welcome and needed plans to modernise the UK’s defence infrastructure and create a more resilient, safer UK. However, sustaining the defence mission requires targeted investment to ensure the long-term sustainability of the whole of the defence estate.

“Investment in critical support infrastructure, including maintenance workshops and docking facilities, is a vital part of protecting the nation.

 “At the same time, and we know that making these critical improvements and upgrades to defence infrastructure will go a long way towards creating jobs and levelling-up regional economies, fuelling a virtuous circle of prosperity that goes above and beyond national security.”

Oli Curlett, head of defence and security at WSP UK and Ireland, said the SDR marks a “pivotal moment” for the UK’s national security.

WSP is already a major player in the defence sector, currently supporting Rolls-Royce in the expansion of its Raynesway submarine site in Derby.

Curlett added: “By shifting towards warfighting readiness, it signals a new era of defence strategy – one that responds to increasing global volatility. 

“The review’s emphasis on integrating advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, cyber security and drones, reflects the growing importance of technology as an essential pillar of resilience.

“Equally, the prioritisation of critical infrastructure, particularly to support the expansion of the nuclear deterrent, the submarine programme and munitions factories, underscores the need for long-term investment in these complex projects that provide the backbone to our national security. 

“This now presents a clear opportunity for the UK to lead by example. To deliver on the ambitions set out, the UK will need sustained investment and deepened collaboration between government and industry.

“The challenge will be to ensure we turn strategy into delivery, by embedding innovation into defence delivery, strengthening international partnerships, and ensuring our critical infrastructure evolves and adapts to meet global challenges.”

Click here to read the Strategic Defence Review.