UK Government to Invest £580 Million in New World-Leading Defence Laboratory at Porton Down to Counter Biological Threats

The UK government is set to invest £580 million in infrastructure funding for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), including the construction of a new world-leading laboratory focused on countering biological warfare threats.

The new facility, to be located at the secretive Porton Down research site, will be named after former British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, a founding member of NATO. The laboratory will significantly expand Dstl’s capacity to address evolving biological threats to national security.

Dstl, renowned for its cutting-edge defence research, has previously analysed samples of the military-grade Novichok nerve agent used in the Skripal attack on UK soil in 2018. The organisation has also developed innovative technologies including the DragonFire laser weapon, drone systems for Ukraine, and advanced chemical weapons analysis capabilities.

The funding forms part of the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan and will enable Dstl to strengthen its research capabilities across artificial intelligence, underwater systems, and autonomous technologies. It complements a separate £1.6 billion Defence Innovation (UKDI) fund allocated by 2030 to accelerate innovation in UK defence technology.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MBE MP said:

Our scientists and experts working at Dstl do so much, often unseen, to keep our country and our allies safe at this increasingly dangerous and unpredictable time.

The £580 million investment will create the facilities needed at Porton Down to expand their vital work, delivering for our Armed Forces and our national security.

Dstl Chief Executive, Paul Hollinshead said:

This investment reinforces the essential work delivered daily by Dstl to protect the UK Armed Forces and defend the nation.

As part of a broader infrastructure programme at Dstl, this new laboratory will strengthen our capacity to stay ahead of evolving biological threats and maintain the UK’s leading edge in defence and security.

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