The Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, visited HMNB Devonport on 24 August 2026 to see some of the latest equipment used by the Royal Marines and UK Commando Force, according to a Ministry of Defence press release. He was accompanied by Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry. The government described Devonport as the largest naval base in Western Europe and said it is pivotal to UK and NATO security. Plymouth will also become home to the Royal Navy's new Type 26 frigates.

During the visit, Streeting met Royal Navy personnel and industry partners delivering engineering, maintenance and support, and saw facilities under construction intended to support submarines in future. The release said around £500 million was committed through the Defence Investment Plan to transform the UK Commando Forces, including new high-speed boats and drone and autonomous technology.

The release stated that Devonport is the only UK facility responsible for deep maintenance and defueling of the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine fleet. It said £7.1 billion is included within Royal Oak, a £26 billion ten-year programme to modernise UK naval infrastructure, and that £50 million is being invested in Plymouth and the South West through the Plymouth Growth Deal.