ROLLS-ROYCE has secured a “landmark” partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to develop a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, in a project worth £9bn (US$11.2bn).
Representing the largest deal between the two, Unity is an eight-year project which will see Rolls-Royce design, build, and maintain the nuclear reactors that power the Royal Navy’s submarines.
The project is “the culmination of years” of planning between the aerospace manufacturer and the MoD to bolster UK national security.
Rolls-Royce expects the project to create 1,000 jobs, mostly at its site in Derby, East Midlands.
Steve Carlier, president of Rolls-Royce, said: “The Unity contract enables our business to work truly collaboratively with the Ministry of Defence, meeting the evolving needs of the UK Royal Navy, further improving reactor plant design, delivery, and in-service support, ensuring the continuing security of our nation at a time of global uncertainty.”
Nuclear expertise
Rolls-Royce is the UK’s sole nuclear vendor, with more than 60 years of research and development. The company already has a long-standing relationship with the MoD, supporting the nuclear propulsion plant that provides power to the Royal Navy’s submarines.
The new project will involve the support of the Royal Navy’s in-service submarine fleet, and the future construction and commission of Dreadnought Class submarines and the UK’s ambitious SSN-AUKUS submarine programme.
John Healey, the UK defence secretary, said: “National security is a foundation of our government’s Plan for Change, and this is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent, which is our ultimate insurance policy in a more dangerous world.”
He added: “In line with our Plan for Change, this deal with Rolls-Royce, a historic British success story, will support high-skilled UK jobs who equip the thousands of submariners that keep us all safe.”
Rolls-Royce is currently developing both micro-reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) as low carbon energy sources for big emitters, including the defence, space, and aviation industries.
In October the manufacturer sold a 20% stake of its SMR business to Czech energy company ČEZ Group, expanding outside of the UK to supply nuclear to Europe.