To accommodate increased demand from the Royal Navy, including commitments related to the AUKUS partnership, work is already underway to double the size of the Rolls-Royce Submarines site in Raynesway, Derby. The expansion, funded jointly by the UK MOD and the Australian Department of Defence, will result in over 1,000 new jobs in Derby across various fields, such as manufacturing and engineering. The project will also include the construction of new manufacturing and office facilities on newly acquired land surrounding the current Raynesway site.

Supplying Nuclear Reactors for Submarine Fleet

Last March, it was confirmed that Rolls-Royce Submarines would supply all the nuclear reactor plants to power new attack submarines as part of the trilateral agreement between Australia, the UK, and the US. Steve Carlier, President of Rolls-Royce Submarines, stated: “Last year we were proud to welcome the Hon Richard Marles MP, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, to our Raynesway site to showcase some of the world-class manufacturing and engineering capabilities we have developed over the last 60 years.”

He continued, “This commitment of funding to our existing expansion work shows the trust Australia places on our nuclear expertise and our ability to deliver. We look forward to working with the Australian Submarine Agency to support them in building their own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.”

Confidence in UK’s Defence Industry

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps added: “In a more dangerous world, this announcement symbolises the huge confidence our close partner Australia has in our world-leading defence industry, including companies such as BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. Through these collaborations, British industry will grow, and thousands of jobs created across the country, delivering security and prosperity to our two nations.”

Further Investments and Regional Growth

To further support the AUKUS preparations and meet additional MOD commitments, Rolls-Royce has recently opened two satellite offices in Glasgow and Cardiff, aiming to tap into skilled talent pools in these regions. Each location will create more than 100 jobs.

To ensure a steady pipeline of future talent, Rolls-Royce also opened a Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby in 2022. This academy aims to provide 200 apprenticeships annually for at least the next decade.

Supporting the Royal Navy’s Submarine Fleet

Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs over 4,000 people and is responsible for designing, manufacturing, and providing in-service support for the pressurised water reactors that power every submarine in the Royal Navy’s fleet. The company continues to support the Astute and Dreadnought submarine build programmes by delivering reactor plants and related components. Additionally, it provides frontline support for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby, as well as supporting submarines at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and naval bases in Devonport and Faslane.

Boosting Derby’s Economy and Workforce

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Chamber, remarked: “The huge number of jobs that will be created at Raynesway is very positive news for Derby and the surrounding region. This added investment into the project underlines the solid commitment Rolls-Royce have placed in the engineering and manufacturing expertise that Derby has in abundance. It’s tremendous to see this opportunity create many highly skilled jobs and continue to position Derby as a leading city in UK manufacturing. This will also help grow the region’s economy far beyond Derby, supporting the wider supply chain and giving those within it future stability.”

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