Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • MoD storage facility in Cumbria secures hundreds of UK jobs

Defence

MoD storage facility in Cumbria secures hundreds of UK jobs

A new 75,000-metre-squared Ministry of Defence (MoD) storage facility is being built in Longtown, Cumbria.

Image courtesy DE&S

Enhancing the MoD’s storage capacity, the £86-million contract with Glasgow-based construction and civil engineering company – McLaughlin & Harvey – will support approximately 150 highly-skilled jobs in Scotland and a further 300 in the North of England. The build will not only strengthen industrial activity across the UK but also grow the economy across both sides of the border.

Advertisement
Siemens rectangle

Due to complete in early October 2024, the new facility will be a key asset in supporting the armed forces on operations. The facility will provide safe and secure storage for equipment used by all three services such as engines and other large spare parts in the defence inventory.

John Farrow, DE&S Director Logistics and Support Operating Centre, said: “The new warehouse will provide the UK with additional modern storage facilities, building on the success of similar facilities in Donnington, that will ensure assets are available more rapidly to meet surges in demand.

"This contract represents a fantastic example of the progress we have made in developing and implementing fit-for-purpose facilities that is helping to accelerate our mission of equipping and supporting our UK armed forces today and tomorrow.”

Known as the MoD Distribution Centre (North), the Longtown facility will be the size of 12 football pitches and be built on a brownfield site within the Longtown estate. The build will provide greater resilience for UK Defence by enhancing MoD’s existing strategic warehouse sites in both Shropshire and Oxfordshire and will also allow older warehousing to be retired.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said: “I am delighted that work is being done at DM Longtown by McLaughlin and Harvey. Longtown is a hugely important, strategic facility and contributes much to the operational capability of Defence. This work also highlights the number of people at the facility who work cross-border and that Defence is a pan-UK business, involving contractors from right across the UK, to keep its people and allies safe.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Much of the Departments’ warehouses were built around the Second World War, therefore the modernisation of warehouse facilities will provide the best protection for the assets it holds. The new facility will provide growth capacity for new capabilities coming into service over the next ten years and beyond.

Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, said: “I welcome this multi-million-pound UK Government defence investment and the hundreds of jobs it will support in Scotland and Cumbria. This giant facility will help ensure kit used by our armed forces is stored in the best possible condition and can be deployed speedily.

"The Ministry of Defence invests more than £2 billion annually with industry and commerce in Scotland and this project is another great example of how such expenditure is growing the economy and creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.”

When the facility reaches completion in late 2024, the assets stored to support the armed forces and their platforms will be better protected and more easily available in times of need, optimising support delivery.

Advertisement
IAI Awareness Banner
JFD Global launches SMR rebreather

Defence

JFD Global launches SMR rebreather

15 September 2025

James Fisher Defence (JFD Global) has today announced the launch of the Stealth Multi-Role (SMR) rebreather – incorporating the latest advances in multimission diving technology.

TEKEVER reveals its largest UK todate

Aerospace Defence

TEKEVER reveals its largest UK todate

15 September 2025

TEKEVER has announced a new manufacturing facility in The Spectrum Building, a historic, Grade II-listed architectural icon designed by Sir Norman Foster, completed in 1982 and featured in James Bond film 'A View to a Kill' in 1984.

Goldilock partners with Kite for UK distribution

Defence Security

Goldilock partners with Kite for UK distribution

15 September 2025

The NATO-backed cybersecurity specialist behind physical connection controller FireBreak, Goldilock, has today announced Kite Distribution as its primary UK distributor, to help it meet growing demand for more robust and practical ways to protect critical networks in the face of persistent cyber threats.

FN UK to upgrade British Armed Forces’ Heavy Machine Gun

Defence

FN UK to upgrade British Armed Forces’ Heavy Machine Gun

15 September 2025

A new 10-year contract worth £20 million to upgrade and provide through-life support for the UK Armed Forces’ L111A1 Heavy Machine Gun will create 10 new jobs in the UK whilst sustaining 80 existing positions.

Advertisement
ODU RT
All on board with Babcock

Defence Events

All on board with Babcock

12 September 2025

Babcock recently hit the highway as it started a nationwide tour of the UK in a specially kitted out bus, where it is connecting with colleagues and highlighting the positive impact it is having on communities the length and breadth of Britain, as it ramps up recruitment.

GA-ASI and AeroVironment launch Switchblade 600 from MQ-9A UAS

Defence

GA-ASI and AeroVironment launch Switchblade 600 from MQ-9A UAS

11 September 2025

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and AeroVironment collaborated on the first ever air launch of a Switchblade 600 loitering munition (LM) from a GA-ASI Block 5 MQ-9A unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

Advertisement
ODU RT