Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde is home to the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent and one of three front-line Naval Bases within the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation.

As the largest military establishment in Scotland, HM Naval Base Clyde provides a base port to the ships and submarines of the Faslane Flotilla (FASFLOT) and supports dozens of other visiting vessels each year.

The Faslane Flotilla comprises:

Four nuclear powered Vanguard Class SSBN submarines - HMS Vanguard, HMS Victorious, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vengeance - which between them maintain a continuous at sea presence of the UK's Independent Strategic Nuclear Deterrent.

One nuclear powered, conventionally armed, Swiftsure Class SSN - HMS Sceptre - which is due to be decommissioned from service at the end of 2010.

Seven Sandown Class Specialist Mine Countermeasure Vessels.

The first of the Royal Navy's Astute Class attack submarines - HMS Astute - which arrived at her new home of HMNB Clyde November 2009.  The biggest and most powerful attack submarine ever built for the Royal Navy, Astute will be joined by two of her sister ships in the near future.

Seven nuclear powered Trafalgar Class SSN attack submarines which will shortly be based at HM Naval Base Clyde following the Maritime Change Programme Announcement. 

HM Naval Base Clyde can be thought of as a garage for all these vessels – keeping them ready to go to sea – and the hotel for the ship’s crews.  Indeed, with over 1,700 beds, the base is one of the largest hotels in Scotland!

Since 2002, Babcock, Marine Division – Clyde, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, have been responsible for providing the quality of service and support for Naval Base outputs, whilst delivering significant, shared, efficiency improvements in all areas.

In March 2010, the MOD signed a long-term partnering agreement with Babcock, consolidating the company’s relationship with the base until 2025, guaranteeing cash savings for the MOD of at least £1.5 Billion.  The agreement also helped to protect the long-term future of the maritime industry, helping to preserve capabilities and vital skills needed to carry out future work.

The Naval Base is the largest single site employer in Scotland, currently employing around 2,500 service and civilian personnel, of whom around 1,500 work for Babcock.  When Fleet staff and other Lodger Units are taken into account, the total number of people based at HM Naval Base Clyde rises to around 6,500.