Ministry of Defence in Hampshire

Portsmouth is the traditional home of the Royal Navy and is the base port for the majority of the navy’s surface warships. The naval base houses the Naval Home Command HQ and is the major naval stores distribution centre in the UK.

A wide range of military facilities are located around Portsmouth Harbour, employing nearly 9,000 military personnel and 5,000 civilian workers (in addition to the 6,500 service personnel employed on Portsmouth-based ships). Some important Ministry of Defence sites around the harbour ­ eg Gunwharf Quays , Priddy’s Hard, St George’s Barracks and Royal Clarence Yard ­ have been released for redevelopment in recent years, for a variety of purposes.

Marchwood Sea Mounting Centre (SMC), on the west side of Southampton Water, is the sole military port in the UK and provides the training ground for Army port and maritime personnel.