A contract worth £9.7M has been awarded to Baker Barracks, Thorney Island, for the final phase of development.

The signing of the contract will see the construction of a new training centre, armoury and office extensions, marking the final phase of development at Baker Barracks.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Kier Group signed the contract, with construction work due to commence in October 2016.

The overall upgrade of the West Sussex site comes to a total investment of around £27M, with enabling works, a new perimeter fence and additional office space now complete and the delivery of new Single Living Accommodation due to be completed in September 2016.

Lieutenant Colonel Gary Jones RA, Station Commander said: “I am delighted by the amount of progress being achieved to deliver the major Army 2020 technical and domestic infrastructure projects on Thorney Island. Through the continued investment of the main works programme and award of this contract to Kier Construction; DIO and Army Basing has demonstrated its commitment to supporting sustainable development in the centre of excellence for the army’s ground base air defence capability”

George Liu, DIO ABP Project Manager said: “This is a fantastic result from all the efforts the team has put in, and is another milestone for DIO following the successful delivery of enabling works at Thorney Island.”

Mark Duddy, ABP Programme Director said: “This is a brilliant example of how we are investing in infrastructure across the UK. The developments at Thorney Island will provide modern, suitable facilities and accommodation for service personnel working and living on site.”

Trevor White, Operations Director for Kier Construction Southern said: “We’re extremely proud to have been appointed to deliver this project which will supplement the existing facilities at Baker Barracks. It’s an important project for DIO so they can provide improved facilities for our armed forces and we look forward to working with them to deliver this exciting opportunity.”

The investment is part of the Army Basing Programme (ABP). The programme provides the facilities that the British Army needs as it returns from Germany to live, work and train in the UK, and rebase across the UK. It also provides funding for restructures to its future Army 2020 foundations.