David Cameron has backed Scottish shipbuilding with an £859million investment in the next generation of Royal Navy frigates to be built on the River Clyde.

The Prime Minister said the money will be spent on developing the Type 26 warship and sustain 1,700 jobs across the country.

The ship will replace Type 23s, with around 13 expected to be built by BAE Systems for service in the early 2020s.

Prime Minister backed an £859million investment for Royal Navy frigates to be built on the Clyde in Scotland

The money will be spent on developing the Type 26 warship and sustain 1,700 jobs across the country. Pictured, an illustration of an exterior shot of the latest design for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship

Around 600 jobs will be safeguarded in Scotland, with other BAE Systems sites and supply chain firms also benefiting in areas including Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Manchester, Cheshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Hampshire.

During a visit to the Govan shipyard in Glasgow, Mr Cameron said: 'This is a substantial investment in our shipbuilding industry, safeguarding the jobs of 600 workers in Scotland and many more across the UK.

'Investing in these warships will ensure we continue to keep our country safe, at home and abroad.

'As part of our long-term economic plan, we're not just building the most advanced modern warships in the world - we are building the careers of many young people with apprenticeships that will set them up for life.'

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon added the announcement is a 'clear vote of confidence in British industry'.

He added it forms part of the government's commitment to invest more than £160billion in equipment and equipment support over the next decade.

He said: 'As a result, our military will have some of the most impressive and technologically-advanced capabilities in the world, from the aircraft carriers and the F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to the Type 45 destroyers, Scout armoured vehicles, the A400M and the Astute Class submarines.'

Mr Cameron, pictured at the BAE Systems Govan shipyard in Glasgow today, said: 'Investing in these warships will ensure we continue to keep our country safe, at home and abroad'

BAE Systems chief executive Ian King said: 'We have a long and proud heritage of delivering complex warships in the UK and today's announcement is a significant endorsement of the Government's commitment to sustain this important national capability.

'We are committed to working with the Government, the Ministry of Defence and our partners in the maritime supply chain to ensure the Royal Navy has the capability it needs to protect national interests, while ensuring the best value for money for UK taxpayers.

'Through the Type 26 programme, we are transforming the way we design and manufacture naval ships with innovative new technologies, leading-edge processes and modern infrastructure.

'New ways of working ensure we can continue to deliver the highest quality equipment at the lowest possible cost and compete effectively for future UK and international orders.'

The first Type 26 is due to enter service as soon as possible after 2020 and will remain in service until 2060.

The development contract is expected to support around 30 companies in the supply chain.

Around 13 Type 26 warships are expected to be built by BAE Systems for service in the early 2020s

The deal will sustain 1,700 jobs across the country, including safeguarding the jobs of 600 Scottish workers

David Hulse, national officer of the GMB union, welcomed the 'very good news' as it secures the future of shipyards along the River Clyde.

He said: 'This announcement is very good news in that it secures the future of the Clydeside shipyards and the skilled workforce and will enable the company to provide a substantial number of much-needed apprenticeships.

'The uncertain international climate calls into question the Tory plans for further cuts in defence spending in the next parliament.

'These will impact on the capacity of the Army, the Navy and the RAF at a time when the UK needs to be able to deal with all threats to national security. The skilled shipyard and defence workforce are as much on the front line as the forces in uniform.

'During the election campaign the electorate need to question Tory spending plans where the combined annual budget of non-protected departments would have to come down by a third in real terms.

'A cut of one third in defence spending is simply not on and these plans must be changed.'