 Some 4,800 people work at Devonport Dockyard |
Defence company BAE Systems has confirmed that it is "looking very hard" at buying a controlling stake in Plymouth's dockyard managment company. US company KBR has a controlling share in DML, which owns Devonport Dockyard and Appledore shipyard.
The MoD is considering taking away KBR's contract to operate the yard after fears it may not have adequate funds after a share flotation.
And BAE is now keen to step in as majority owner of the Plymouth company.
BBC South West Business Correspondent Neil Gallacher says industry sources believe BAE's plans would fit in with the government's desire to consolidate the various outfits that handle warship and submarine work in the UK.
DML, which employs about 4,800 people, is the sole refit and refuelling base for Britain's nuclear submarine fleet.
BAE Systems meanwhile is a submarine builder and owns Britain's only submarine-building facility at Barrow.
One-Minute World News 
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