In October, the Chancellor announced plans to go further and faster reforming the government's approach to procurement so that it can shape markets and manage demand. As part of this annoucement, the Chancellor also committed to extending this approach to shipbuilding and maritime technology sectors, as part of the Action Plan for Shipbuilding and Maritime Technology.

The National Shipbuilding Office is now focused on delivering this ambitious Action Plan by Spring 2026. This document will set out a bold vision for the UK's shipbuilding and maritime technology sector. Building on the Strategic Defence Review, the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy and the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Action Plan will align with national priorities in defence, growth and clean energy. 

It will aim to:

• Support the creation of high-skilled jobs
• Strengthen industrial resilience
• Foster innovation by removing barriers
• Support Small-to-Medium Enterprises
• Drive investment in cutting-edge technologies like maritime autonomy

Finally the plan will set out how we will leverage procurement as a strategic tool and how we will ensure the shipbuilding and maritime technology sector is positioned to deliver long-term economic growth, national resilience and global competitiveness.

You can follow the National Shipbuilding Office on Linked In here.