Rolls-Royce to create thousands of jobs after landing huge submarine deal

Derby-based Rolls-Royce is set to create thousands of in-house and supply chain jobs after landing the contract to provide reactors for Australia’s first nuclear-powered submarines.

The announcement comes as part of the AUKUS trilateral agreement between Australia, the UK and the US, and will be a massive boost for Derby.

Steve Carlier, president – Rolls-Royce Submarines, 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 currently supply reactor plant and associated components for the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes. It also provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby and supports the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane.

Last year, Rolls-Royce opened a new Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby which will provide 200 apprenticeships each year for at least the next decade.

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