A trade union has urged the UK Government to award a major Royal Navy infrastructure contract directly to a Scottish yard, arguing it would strengthen domestic industry and support submarine sustainment.
GMB Scotland is calling on defence ministers to allocate Programme Euston work to the Navantia yard in Methil, Fife, rather than opening the contract to international competition.
The programme is intended to deliver new out-of-water docking capability at HM Naval Base Clyde, supporting maintenance of the UK’s submarine fleet into the 2030s.
The Ministry of Defence has previously confirmed that Programme Euston will provide additional fleet time docking capacity, described by ministers as a “resilient out of water engineering capability” required to sustain the submarine force as demand increases. The need is expected to grow as Astute-class boats remain in service, Vanguard submarines continue deterrent patrols, and Dreadnought-class vessels begin to enter the fleet.
Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, has written to Defence Secretary John Healey arguing the contract should be used to reinforce UK supply chains and industrial capacity.
“In an increasingly uncertain world, the DIP must secure and strengthen supply chains within the UK,” she said. “In that context, the opportunity and potential benefits of sending the Euston contract to the Navantia yard, in Fife, is clear and cannot be ignored.”
The union argues the Methil yard, which has undergone recent investment and restructuring under new ownership, could be secured as a long-term strategic asset through the programme.
“The yard has endured difficulty and uncertainty in recent decades but is, under new ownership, being rebuilt and rejuvenated,” Gilmour said.
“A committed, skilled and growing workforce, bolstered by substantial investment and ambitious management, is determined to build a new future for the yard. Euston would allow that new future to be built on firm foundations.”
Programme Euston is expected to deliver new floating dry docks, a mobile system used to lift submarines out of the water for maintenance. The capability is central to addressing long-standing constraints at Faslane, where existing infrastructure limits the Navy’s ability to conduct maintenance cycles at scale.
The Ministry of Defence has said a Programme Business Case is due in mid-2026, with procurement decisions to follow once technical specifications are finalised. Previous ministerial statements have indicated that a manufacturing contract will be awarded after a formal procurement process, though detailed timelines remain subject to review.
GMB Scotland argues the programme should be used to anchor work within the UK industrial base, linking defence investment to jobs and supply chain resilience.
“The yard, in Methil, has the potential to be a pillar of UK engineering capability and is a perfect example of how defence contracts could be built on secure domestic supply chains while boosting growth and creating jobs,” Gilmour said.
“The Defence Investment Plan is a clear opportunity to confirm the potential benefit of this work for our country’s security, workers, and communities.”
The union also points to workforce growth at the site, which it says has increased from around 180 to 230 employees, with further expansion expected. “Euston would promise more jobs while confirm the yard’s position as a key strategic industrial asset for Fife, Scotland and the UK,” Gilmour added.
“A direct award is an opportunity for ministers to signal the way ahead by allowing Scots workers to deliver complex contracts on time to the highest possible standards. It would help create and secure jobs and apprenticeships, sustain critical skills, and keep economic value within the UK supply chain while securing swifter delivery.”
While ministers have indicated that UK industry is expected to play a role, no decision has yet been announced on how Programme Euston will be completed or where construction work will ultimately be carried out, pending the upcoming Defence Investment Plan.
How complex are they? Will it have self contained cranes, engineering workshops, welding and fabrication like something like RFA Diligence or is it just a simple barge ?
I should have zoomed on the image, so expensive and complex.
Oh yeah, another thing that should have been ordered years ago and is still waiting on the DIP. Had forgotten about those.
Whilst not fussed which yard, this should be uk based build unless its a trade off for purchases from a uk yard by other nations.
Same way that all the Calmac ferry tenders should have social value evaluated in a contract
Shouldn’t it be Navantia pitching for the business? I couldn’t see any comment from Navantia in the article. They’re building a barge to take bow sections of the FSSS from Appledore to H&W so, have they any capacity for this contract? If so, when?
BTW, are the Union going to make a ‘no industrial action’ promise as part of the tender for the work?
‘are the Union going to make a ‘no industrial action’ promise as part of the tender for the work’. Well, will the employer make a ‘no acting like a bellend to the employees’ promise as part of the tender for the work?
Well, Angela and the Government have made it more difficult to get rid of staff with an attitude like yours whereas, if staff don’t like their employer or the conditions, they can hand-in their notice anytime. Cheerio….
I’m impressed that you are able to infer my ‘attitude’ from that statement. It must make life very easy for you being able to read one or two sentences and immediately know everything about what someone thinks about complex issues like industrial relations in heavy industry.
Arn’t the SNP going close the base when get independance? wonder who most of the GMB union in scotland vote for?. Unions always demanding and it aways cost more and Governments give to get votes its a circle of doom.
No.
Radical idea. Build it in Australia and strengthen the relationship.
No messing about with Scot unions and NatScots.