The UK has approved a £279-million ($373-million) contract to build a dedicated facility for the army’s cyber regiment.
The project, located at Duke of Gloucester Barracks in Gloucestershire, will support 13 Signal Regiment, the unit responsible for the army’s defensive cyber operations. New facilities will include a Cyber, Information and Security Operations Centre, technical buildings, training areas, and modern living quarters for personnel.
Awarded by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to British construction company Bovis, the contract is expected to generate 92 jobs, including 32 apprenticeships and roles for ex-service members. Construction is set to begin in summer 2027, with completion targeted for spring 2030.
The redevelopment will feature 248 single-living accommodations, 30 service family homes, and upgrades to existing housing. Around a quarter of the spending is allocated to local businesses within 50 miles of the barracks, with a similar portion directed to small and medium enterprises.
The UK MoD has been investing heavily in cyber and communications capabilities. In 2023, BAE Systems secured a contract to deploy the Trinity Wide Area Network, enhancing battlefield communications, while QinetiQ received extensions for the Thundercloud military data management system and contracts covering digital, IT, and cybersecurity services.
