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The government will fund a £200m polar research ship, the chancellor, George Osborne, has announced in a move designed to boost the economy.
Ahead of a speech to scientists on Friday, the chancellor said the investment would put Britain at the forefront of research in the Antarctic and Arctic oceans.
The vessel will help replace the UK's two current polar exploration ships, which are nearing the end of their lives.
The ship will have on board laboratories and carry cutting-edge technology including robotic submarines and underwater gliders to gather data on marine biology and ocean conditions.
Osborne said: "One of the final frontiers in the world where there is still much discovery to be done are the polar oceans. Britain must continue to have a presence in these parts of the world.
"But our two current polar exploration ships are nearing the end of their life and need replacing. So I am delighted that we are investing in a new polar research ship to carry cutting-edge British technology to put British scientists at the forefront of research in both the Antarctic and the Arctic oceans."
The ship will be operated by the British Antarctic Survey and will be able to carry out longer voyages than the existing vessels.
It is hoped that the use of robotic technology will help pave the way for the development of new industries.
The minister for the polar regions, Mark Simmonds, said: "A new state-of-the-art polar research flagship will extend the UK's capability and reach in polar waters. It also makes explicitly clear our long-term commitment to maintaining our presence and scientific excellence in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the British Antarctic Territory."
During his speech on Friday, the chancellor will also launch a consultation with scientists to inform the government's allocation of the £7bn investment budget for large capital projects in science and research announced last year.
The consultation is designed to ensure that the money is targeted at areas scientists believe will bring the greatest opportunities for business applications.
Osborne said: "While as a country we have a proud record in scientific ingenuity, too often it has been other countries that have enjoyed the economic opportunity from it.
"Our long-term economic plan is about ensuring Britain benefits from its scientific excellence. That is why we are taking the difficult decision to protect the science budget over the next parliament. We are committing £7bn – no other government has made such a long-term commitment."
The science minister, David Willetts, said: "Today's launch of our consultation on future capital investment is a historic opportunity for British science. The next five years will see the largest ever sustained capital spend on science investment. Our scientists can identify the next Crick Institute or the next equivalent of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology for us to invest in."
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