The National Cyber Force (NCF) campus will be located in Lancashire meaning thousands of new highly skilled jobs for the North West, the Government has revealed.
The Defence Secretary has said the campus, originally announced in the Prime Minister's integrated review last year, will be based in Samlesbury in a move hoped to cement the region's position as the "cyber centre of the UK".
According to Ben Wallace, the NCF will bring together personnel from intelligence, cyber and security agency GCHQ, the MoD, MI6 and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), under one unified command for the first time.
The NCF, a £5bn project, will join BAE System's aircraft factory in Samlesbury.
Mr Wallace said: "The National Cyber Force located in Samlesbury will embrace exciting new offensive cyber technologies and provide thousands of highly skilled jobs and expertise to the North West.
"I am hugely proud and enthusiastic to see this happen, not only will it provide a catalyst for investment, but also see our levelling up agenda bring economic stimulus and tangible benefits to this region."
Offensive cyber operations are those which can disrupt hostile state activities, terrorists and criminals threatening the UK’s national security – from countering terror plots to conducting military operations.
The NCF will work in partnership with law enforcement and international partners - helping defend the nation and countering national security threats.
Mr Wallace said offensive cyber capabilities offer the UK a range of flexible, scalable measures that will help protect the UK and our partners around the globe.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: "The National Cyber Force will help confront aggressive behaviour from malign actors, and demonstrate that Britain is investing in next-generation defence capability to protect our people and help our friends counter cyber threats. It sends a powerful message to our allies and adversaries alike."
