Mini submarine factory to surface in Plymouth

Defence technology firm Helsing has announced it will start producing mini submarines at a factory in Plymouth.

The submarines will be used to protect critical underwater UK infrastructure such as communication cables and energy pipelines, said the company.

Helsing added the so-called Resilience Factory was due to start production of the SG-1 Fathom "autonomous underwater gliders", by the end of 2025 and was part of a £350m investment in the UK.

The company said it expected to produce hundreds of the machines at an undisclosed site.

Ned Baker, Helsing's UK managing director, said the company was "proud to be investing in the UK's future".

"This is about equipping our armed forces and growing the economy," he added.

No figures were available on the number of staff who would be working at the "advanced manufacturing facility", said the firm.

The government said in a statement that the plant would "build upon 14,000 extra jobs supported by government investment in the defence sector".

The investment is being linked by the government to its announcement of Plymouth as a national centre of marine autonomy - the use of technologies that allow underwater or surface vehicles and ships to operate with reduced or no human intervention.

Fred Thomas, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, said he was "really excited" by the announcement.

"It means investment and it means jobs, and they are coming this year," he said.

"We have so many incredible businesses in this industry already, but the more investment we can attract from others the better."

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