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A historic English port city is undergoing a major restoration - thanks to Vladimir Putin. Plymouth, from where Sir Francis Drake launched his 1588 mission against the Spanish Armada, has reached a positive "tipping point" as a result of a rising Russian threat. Moscow's aggression has reversed decades of painful defence cuts for the Devon city. "We're at a tipping point in Plymouth," said Tudor Evans, the city's council leader. "We can now see the future going out for 40 years." The Devonport dockyard has been promised at least £4.4billion in work over the coming decade. Britain's new nuclear deterrent submarines - made in Barrow - will be maintained and repaired at the 650-acre facility, operated by defence company Babcock. Military revenues are now guaranteed until 2070. The Royal Navy is set to benefit significantly from a defence spending hike to 3.5 per cent by 2035. Plymouth will require 5,500 new dockyard workers over the next 10 years as its current workforce ages. Many of these positions will offer strong wages in an area where earnings fall well below the national average. "Plymouth is getting a pay rise," Mr Evans said - and the investment is badly needed. Years of defence spending reductions have scarred the city centre, which was rebuilt in a grid layout after the Second World War. Empty retail units, pawnbrokers and charity shops are now blighting what should be prime locations. Plymouth also serves as a hub for remotely-operated vessels and marine artificial intelligence technology, some of which are being sent into the Strait of Hormuz . "What we build here will spot the Russians trying to cut our underwater cables ," Mr Evans said. Plymouth is also trying to boost its population by roughly 10 per cent from 270,000 to approximately 300,000 people. DEFENCE - READ MORE: ‘Beggars belief!’ Over 500 British troops expose their locations in sensitive sites on fitness app Royal Navy is NOT ready for war, First Sea Lord admits - while US mocks British forces UK Special Forces to board and seize Russian ships after PM signs off on military action Alongside homes, Babcock announced last week it would occupy the former House of Fraser department store, relocating 2,000 staff for office space and training facilities. Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB union, said he was yet to be convinced about aspects of the Government's defence plans but acknowledged the significance of increased spending. "Like in Barrow, there is a generational opportunity to create thousands of skilled apprenticeships whilst building a training centre in the city centre, which would be a powerful symbol of rebirth," he said. "Couple that with investment in thousands of new homes, and Plymouth could boom." However, some local leaders worry the next generation of dockyard employees will treat Plymouth just as a workplace, taking their earnings home to families living elsewhere. This pattern has already been seen in Barrow, 373 miles away, where shipyard staff live in hotels during the week, then go home for the weekend. "I don't want people disappearing up the A38 and M5 on a Friday night with their wages," Mr Evans vowed. Plymouth offers pristine beaches, Dartmoor National Park, thriving universities and a respected theatre. But Labour's decision to exclude Plymouth from its "new towns" list proved disappointing . Ministers have instead promised a "bespoke" deal to support the planned city centre homes. "We need urgent clarification on what the money is and what it is for," said Lee Finn, a Conservative councillor. Around 10,000 new homes are planned for the city centre - though this depends on developers believing in the city's growing prosperity. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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