Major security upgrades for Royal Navy's HMNB Portsmouth as it sets 'clear precedent' to deal with 'threats'

Vital security upgrades will be made to Portsmouth Naval Base after an infrastructure contract was secured.

Video surveillance and analytics capabilities will be enhanced at HMNB Portsmouth. North, a British smart infrastructure and defence technology integrator, secured a major contract with KBS Maritime - a joint venture between KBR and BAE Systems.

James Davis, managing director at KBS Maritime, said: “The upgrade will ensure Portsmouth sets a clear precedent as a secure, high-readiness hub, and which makes best use of advanced technology, providing a replicable model for other MOD sites to meet future threats.”

The contract will see North’s engineers design and refresh the base’s video surveillance equipment. A new secure control centre will be built, with other improvements including network upgrades. Advanced cameras with integrated analytics will be installed across HMNB Portsmouth.

The aim is to create a safer and more resilient environment for Royal Navy personnel, civilian contractors, and visitors. Upgrades will be installed in phases to make sure operational matters and security procedures at the base will not be impacted. Multiple systems will be integrated into a unified security platform.

Richard Green, managing director for D&J at North, said: “This contract represents a significant milestone for North and reinforces our position as a trusted partner for defence and maritime security programmes. Working alongside KBS Maritime, we are proud to support the Royal Navy by delivering a secure, resilient and future-ready surveillance capability at Portsmouth Naval Base.”

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The Defence Investment Plan (Dip) announced £3.9bn worth of upgrades to HMNB Portsmouth under Project Royal Oak. Part of this is Project Bentham, where more jetties and berths will be built to accommodate a hybrid force of crewed warships and autonomous vessels.

A new oil supply jetty will also be constructed alongside new munitions infrastructure works in Gosport. The Fountain Lake Jetty will also see a rebuilding scheme. Minister for defence readiness and industry, Luke Pollard, previously said the aim is to improve infrastructure which has been “deteriorating for quite some time” - with some jetties and berths coming to the end of their serviceable life.

“The priority is to improve our war-fighting readiness and improve the availability of our platforms,” he added. “The underinvestment in some of the physical infrastructure has contributed to our current availability levels. We need to invest in the kit and equipment, the people - especially with skills shortages - and the physical infrastructure those services rely on.”