£279m investment will create new Gloucestershire barracks for Army’s cyber force
A major investment in Gloucestershire will transform a county Army base into a major centre for the UK military's cyber force, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
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An investment of £279 million has been announced in Gloucestershire that will create a new “cutting-edge” home for the Army’s cyber regiment.
The project for the Duke of Gloucester Barracks near Cirencester will see the military’s cyber-focused personnel benefit from new modern accommodation and specialist training facilities.
The multi-million contract, signed on January 15, will see the creation of specialist modern facilities for 13 Signal Regiment at South Cerney with 248 single living accommodation rooms as well as 30 homes for service personnel with families.
It’s claimed the development will also boost the local economy, creating 92 jobs, demonstrating defence as an engine for growth, according to Defence Minister Luke Pollard.
It will also include opportunities for ex-military and 32 apprenticeships, with structured training programmes, helping boost defence as an engine for growth.
The work at the site will include brand new technical and training buildings for personnel, as well as modern accommodation.
The new barracks will house the Army’s Cyber, Information and Security Operations Centre which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) says will protect networks from cyber threats both at home and overseas on exercises and operations.
The MoD’s strategic defence review highlights how the cyber and electromagnetic domain are at the heart of modern warfare, following more than 90,000 attacks on the UK’s military networks from adversaries in the last two years alone.
And, to counter these threats, the Army is also creating a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command to put the UK at the forefront of cyber operations.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the UK is in a “new era of threats”.
“It’s clear for anyone who is looking at the dangers we’re facing as a country, that the cyber domain is one of those areas where we need to invest more to maintain our defences,” the Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said.
“That’s precisely what this £279 million investment in the home of the Army cyber regiment is all about.
“Not only will that investment build the accommodation, decent homes for the brilliant men and women of ours, who are the cyber warriors that keep us safe, but it will also help with the cutting-edge capabilities that we need to deter aggression and keep us safe, and that’s not a theoretical risk.”
Mr Pollard said the investment is vitally important to keep the UK safe and will help boost the cyber sector in Gloucestershire and wider South West.
“We know that every single day of the year, our adversaries are seeking to get into our secure systems to attack us in the digital domain,” he added.
“That’s why when we’ve allocated additional money for defence, £5 billion extra this year and increasing every single year of the next decade, it’s not just going into brand new warships or new fighter jets.
“It’s going into these capabilities for the, to keep us safe against cyber attacks, and what we can do here in Gloucestershire and the wider South West.
“This is the home of that defence, with the work that takes place at GCHQ and the wider region, we know that there’s real expertise locally and there’s a real opportunity to create more good jobs in this area.
“And that’s what this investment seeks to do, both in terms of construction, but also supporting more people joining the British Army in keeping us safe from cyber attacks.
“Part of the work we’ll be doing is, not only funding the development of a number of buildings, but we’ll be making sure that the local people will be able to deliver it.”
The contract has been awarded to the British company Bovis by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
And construction will start in Summer 2027, with completion scheduled for Spring 2030, to support the Regiment’s move to the barracks.
The contract supports the local economy, businesses and communities with 25 per cent of spending going to businesses within 50 miles of the site and 25 per cent of the on-site workforce employed locally.
And 40 per cent of offsite manufacturing within 40 miles of the site with 25 per cent of spending to go to small and medium enterprises.
Major General AJ Smith CBE, Director of Basing and Infrastructure and Senior Responsible Owner for the Defence Estate Optimisation Army Programme, said: “Investment in new infrastructure at Duke of Gloucester Barracks will enable the growth of the Army’s cyber capability and enhance operational readiness.
“This project is a great example of our ongoing effort to modernise our estate, improve the environments where our people live, work and train, and provide the facilities they need to carry out their vital roles for UK Defence.”
Warren Webster, DIO MPP Programme Director – Army, said: “This contract award paves the way for some fantastic new infrastructure at the Duke of Gloucester Barracks, including new Single Living Accommodation rooms and brand new technical and training buildings for personnel.
“All told, it’s a significant improvement to the site which will benefit personnel.”
Andrew Mackay, managing director, public sector and regions, at Bovis, said: “We are proud to be leading the ambitious modernisation of Duke of Gloucester Barracks.
“This programme – delivering high‑quality single living accommodation alongside major infrastructure enhancements and upgrades to existing buildings – will provide our armed forces with the modern, sustainable facilities they deserve.
“As a longstanding and valued client, we look forward to working closely with the DIO to achieve their ambitions.”
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com