Rolls-Royce Submarines is set to benefit from the thousands of jobs created by the agreement between the UK, US and Australia for a new generation of nuclear submarines.
The Derby-based engineering giant will build the reactors under the so-called AUKUS deal which will create, what Rishi Sunak said, “one of the most advanced” submarines “the world has ever known”.
Australia and the UK will both build the SSN-Aukus submarines which combine UK and US design and technology. After entering operation for the Royal Navy by the late 2030s they will go on to give Australia its first nuclear-powered capability as it seeks to counter an increase in Chinese military activities in the Pacific.
The boats will replace the UK’s seven Astute-class subs and – while it has not been confirmed of how many will be ordered – Royal Navy insiders said the size of the hunter-killer fleet could double.
Mr Sunak met US President Joe Biden and Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in San Diego to announce the next stage of the Aukus plan.
The UK’s SSN-AUKUS submarines will be built by BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. As the home of British submarine building, most of the jobs will be concentrated in Barrow-in-Furness with further roles created elsewhere, including in Derby.
Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 4,000 people and designs, builds and maintains the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. The business is currently seeking planning for up to 200,000 sq ft of new manufacturing and office space in Derby.
Rolls-Royce Submarines president Steve Carlier said: “We are delighted to be asked to play our part in delivering this element of the AUKUS Agreement and are well prepared to support through our nuclear expertise and engineering excellence.
“For over 60 years we have provided the power to the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines and we are proud to be playing a critical role in helping Australia acquire their own nuclear propulsion submarine capability.
“This is great news for Rolls-Royce and for the country as a whole with the creation of more UK jobs and an opportunity to showcase British innovation and expertise on the world stage.”
Rolls-Royce is already supporting the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. Additionally, it provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its operations centre in Derby and supports the submarines in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and naval bases at Devonport and Faslane.
To ensure a steady pipeline of future talent into the industry, Rolls-Royce last year opened a new Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby, which will provide 200 apprenticeships each year for at least the next decade.
